Vendée Globe update

After 57 gruelling days at sea, UKSA graduate, Dee Caffari, is still on course to become the first woman to sail single-handedly around the world in both directions.

Despite a few sticky moments with Avivas mainsail, Dee is doing brilliantly; yesterday passing through the 10,000 miles-to-go barrier, down towards Cape Horn.

Sadly, Jonny Malbon, another UKSA graduate to take on the challenge of the Vendée, made the tough decision to retire from the race yesterday morning due to ongoing problems with his mainsail. Jonny’s yacht, Artemis II also suffered a damaged starboard rudder, following a collision with a whale several weeks ago, which — combined with his mainsail issues — would make sailing upwind near-impossible. Malbon and his team have assessed the situation and decided that his best option is to retire and head for the South Island of New Zealand.

Sébastien Josse, has also succumbed to the harsh conditions, announcing his decision to retire from the race on December 29th. Josse was in fourth place and only 140 miles behind the current race leader, Michel Desjoueaux, until he was flattened by a wave which was driven by 60 knot gusts in a malicious storm on Boxing Day.

As of 10:00hrs this morning, Dee is in 9th place out of the 14 contenders remaining in the race. You can follow Dee on her voyage at www.avivaoceanracing.com

For all the Vendée Globe race news and up-to-date position reports, log onto www.vendeeglobe.org/en/
Read Dee's latest diary entry