POSTED: Tuesday February 22nd 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GAES CENTROS AUDITIVOS: RACE UPDATE - CAFFARI AND CORBELLA GIVE WELLINGTON A WAVE

Prior to the weekend, the GAES girls were in close contact with the shore team to find a solution to a problem they were encountering with their instruments. Caffari took on the role as trouble shooter while Corbella stood in as autopilot until normal service was resumed some eight hours later on Friday evening (UK time) and data was once again available allowing them to continue racing. Caffari and Corbella then had an exhausting weekend as they experienced winds of up to 50 knots crossing the Tasman Sea.

In contrast to several of their competitors in the Barcelona World Race, Caffari and Corbella will not be stopping in New Zealand’s capital city as they feel that their IMOCA Open 60 is in good shape to tackle the Pacific.

Yesterday Caffari commented on the temptation of spending 48 hours on dry land:

“I think the boat is at that half way stage where it is tired and, a bit like us, could do with some TLC.  There is nothing we are not on top of and so we will keep going, even though it would be lovely to have a nice shower, a bit of a rest and some fresh food. Apart from being a bit tired we are keen to pass through the Cook Straits and start the Pacific chapter of the race.”

The all female duo aboard GAES Centos Auditivos will later today be passing through the Cook Straits between the north and south islands of New Zealand and were hoping for a visit from a familiar friend. Wellington based Westpac Rescue winchman Dave Greenberg had arranged a special fly-by to keep with the tradition of Caffari’s previous circumnavigations when she passes New Zealand. In 2004/05 Greenberg was the winchman involved with the medi-vac of one of Caffari’s sick Global Challenge crew members as she skippered a crew of 17 amateur sailors around the world. Since then, a strong friendship has been forged and when Caffari passed New Zealand on the Aviva Challenge in 2006 and again on the Vendee Globe in 2008, Greenberg flew overhead to wish the British yachtswoman good luck.

In light of the tragic earthquake and fatalities in the nearby city of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island it is unlikely Caffari will see her friend this time around and said:

“We were really excited at the prospect of seeing Dave but the dreadful news that has reached us puts everything in perspective. Dave was there for my emergency all those years ago and I know that he will be where he is needed the most. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the earthquake”

Virbac-Paprec 3 have resumed pole position on the race course after their technical pit stop last week. With Mapfre now hot on their heels it has been all change further down the rankings with Renault Z.E. claiming third place. So far Virbac-Paprec 3, Estrella Damm and Group Bel have all made a stop to deal with essential repairs to their IMOCA Open 60’s. At the 0900hrs ranking today, Caffari and Corbella onboard GAES Centros Auditivos were in 9th place, 128 miles behind Andy Meiklejohn & Wouter Verbraak on Hugo Boss.

Aviva has been a longstanding supporter of Dee Caffari and her inspirational record breaking sailing achievements, assisting her to three world records including becoming the first woman to sail solo, non stop, around the world in both directions. As Founding Partner of Caffari’s sailing campaign, Aviva is pleased to extend this support to Corbella and GAES for the Barcelona World Race.

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Keywords · GAES · Caffari · Corbella · Centos Auditivos ·

Name: Jo Uffendell
Organization: Dee Caffari
Email:
Phone: 447699429260
URL: http://www.deecaffari.com

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