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28 October 2005, 04:33 pm

CAFFARI Prepares For Solo Westabout Record Attempt

WSSRC Record Attempt

On Thursday afternoon a break in the weather finally allowed Dee CAFFARI (GBR) to put water around the keel of her yacht Aviva, ahead of her single-handed westabout round the world circumnavigation attempt due to start next month.

The Aviva inched her bow from the shed in Plymouth Yacht Haven, Great Britain at 1500 hours BST and CAFFARI watched from the shore as her yacht for the upcoming voyage went afloat. The Aviva Challenge shore team kept a watchful eye as they saw their modifications to Aviva hit the water for the first time.

CAFFARI will now spend time testing the yacht and ensuring she is comfortable with the modifications before sailing to Portsmouth ahead of her departure on 20 November. The rigging will be completed on 28 October and the autopilots and mechanical systems will be given a thorough run through over the coming days. Next week will see the sails arrive and then testing and familiarisation will commence in earnest.

CAFFARI commented, 'We were very lucky with the weather, which allowed us to put Aviva afloat and step her mast. Today has enabled us to stay on track in our tight schedule ahead leading to departure day on 20 November 2005. I was very excited getting her in the water and I can't wait to get out there and test all the systems.'

CAFFARI will leave Gunwharf Keys in Portsmouth on 20 November on board Aviva.