Vendée Globe update - The closing stages...

As we enter the closing stages of the Vendée Globe this weekend, we can't deny it's been an eventful one. With only 12 participant remaining of the 30 yachts that set sail from Les Sables d'Olonne back in November, it looks set to be a cracking finish!

>Our very own UKSA graduate, Dee Caffari, is currently in 7^th place aboard Aviva, and still set to achieve her long desired goal of being the first solo yachtswoman to sail single-handedly around the world both with and against the prevailing winds.

>The current leader, Michel Dejoyeaux, is making between 14 and 17 knots on Foncia towards the finish line and has less than 615 miles to run.

>As the celebrations begin, it's the calm before the storm in Les Sables – a distinct contrast to what is expected this weekend as the teams return home!

The rankings as of 11:00am this morning, are:

1. Michel Desjoyeaux – Foncia


2. Roland Jourdain – Veolia Environnement


3. Armel Le Cléac'h – Brit Air


4. Sam Davies – Roxy


5. Marc Guillemot – Safran


6. Brian Thompson – Bahrain Team Pindar


7. Dee Caffari – Aviva


8. Arnaud Boissières – Akena Vérandas


9. Steve White – Toe in the Water


10. Rich Wilson – Great American III


11. Raphaël Dinelli – Fondation Océan Vital


12. Norbert Sedlacek – Nauticsport-Kapsch

For more news and for up-to-date rankings, check out the Vendée Globe official website.

Seafarers raise cash for UKSA!

A big thank you to berth holders at Dean & Reddyhoff marinas across the UK, who last summer put their hands in their pockets and raised a whopping £5,000 for UKSA.

This fantastic cheque was presented to us at the London International Boat Show earlier this month, and will be used to buy a brand new Wayfarer dinghy to join the expanding fleet at UKSA.

The money was raised last year at Dean & Reddyhoff's charity summer parties held at East Cowes, Haslar and Weymouth Marinas, along with contributions from Dean & Reddyhoff itself.

It means a lot to UKSA that our work with young people is recognised by those working in and participating in leisure yachting and boating in the UK. Augmenting our dinghy fleet with this new Wayfarer means that we can provide further opportunities over the coming years for young people from all backgrounds to discover their own abilities, be inspired by new challenges and develop skills for life.

Dean & Reddyhoff are key players in the UK's maritime profile and have recently constructed an incredible 600-berth marina in Portland Harbour, which will act as the host for the sailing events of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games!

It's definitely something you need to see with your own eyes, so check out the photos on the Dean & Reddyhoff website!

UKSA supports world record attempt!

Next month Guy Watts and Andrew Delaney of Team MSS will be attending UKSA to study celestial navigation and short range radio in preparation for the first ever Indian Ocean Rowing Race.

In December 2008 the pair also came to UKSA for their first aid and sea survival training before undergoing their first sea trials around the south coast.

The two-man team from Sussex will take part in the grueling 4000 nautical mile rowing race from Western Australia to Mauritius in April, crossing notoriously treacherous waters;

"...we'll face huge waves, searing heat and have only each other and some pretty scary sharks for company.

Only five people have ever managed the crossing before. We hope to complete the challenge in 90 days and we are aiming for two world records, to be the youngest and first pair to cross the finish line.

Along the way we are raising awareness for Orchid, the only cancer charity to focus specifically on male cancers.

Without UKSA's generous contribution, even getting to the start line would not be possible."

For more information, and to keep track of their progress once the race starts, visit www.indianoceanrace.com

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