TJV - Fast day for Caffari and King on Aviva

by PR on 22 Nov 2007
Wednesday, Dee Caffari and Nigel King polled their fastest 24 hours of the Transat Jacques Vabre. Aviva covered 324 miles in the 24 hours from noon on Tuesday 20 November to noon Wednesday.

Dee commented, 'We are absolutely over the moon with today’s progress. It has been a tough race so it’s great to still be competing to the best of our ability. Nigel and I will be pushing hard all the way to the finish line and it’s great to close some miles on a few of our competitors.'

The pair also congratulate Michel Desjoyeaux and Manu le Borgne onboard Foncia on winning the IMOCA class of the Transat Jacques Vabre. The winners crossed the finish line 17 days after departing Le Havre, a testament to the challenges this years race has thrown at the skippers.

Whilst the majority of the boats in the race were new generation Open 60s, the light winds that plagued the start of the race and the difficult doldrum crossing has made this a tough and challenging race that finished well outside the 13 day record.

Dee spoke from onboard Aviva, 'We’re on the final straight with just 624 miles to go and send our congratulations to Michel and Manu onboard Foncia on their win. Crossing the line first in what was a close battle all the way for the leading pack must have been a great feeling for them.'

As Dee and Nigel prepare for the home straight, she added, 'We have opted for passing the Islands Fernando de Noronha to the east, whilst our race-rivals ahead are setting up to pass to the west. The forecast is to go light at the end of the week when we shall all be fighting along the coast for the final few miles, so it is not over yet!'

Dee is also delighted to see Mike Golding, her former mentor, cross the line in 5th place only thirteen and a half hours behind the winners. Mike and Dee set up a technical alliance earlier this year with Ecover’s sister-ship, the new Aviva, currently being completed in New Zealand.

Dee added, 'We’re so pleased for Mike, who despite a few teething problems has had a great race. The boat seemed to be very competitive and I can’t wait to get our new boat out on the water in the New Year.'

Dee and Nigel are currently in 14th position.