She is back on the most famous round the world race. Now, at 50, the British sailor is at her peak on the modern day circuit on which she has raced for the best part of 20 years. With her new boat launched in the summer of 2022, she has completed races at a frantic pace and landed her first podium at the end of an IMOCA Globe Series transatlantic in the IMOCA (3rd in The Transat in the spring). Her recent form means that she has taken a load of pressure off herself psychologically and can approach the Vendée Globe with added motivation but less stress. Her history with the race has been a bit of a roller coaster, after her 4th place in 2008-2009 on Roxy, she had to give up twice (2012-2013 then 2020-2021) even if she managed to go the distance and complete the full circumnavigation. She goes into her fourth race with very high ambitions.
Sam Davies: " We know that one day a woman will win the Vendée Globe”
British skipper Sam Davies has been a leading racer in the IMOCA class for some 20 years, now spearheading a team whose commitment goes way beyond racing boats solo around the world. In fact Davies is the sailor who has sailed the most in the last four years. Her performances reflect her hundreds of thousands of ocean miles most recently taking third in the Transat CIC behind Yoann Richomme and Boris Herrmann, surely a good omen before she starts her fourth Vendée Globe.
Vendée Globe :
A podium in The Transat CIC, all top fives over the last year... How do you explain how you have done so consistently well?
Samantha Davies
In fact it has been a gradual evolution. Over the months after the launch of the boat (in the summer of 2022), we had to adapt to the boat and we had several technical problems. The following year, during the refit, I competed in three-quarters of a crewed round-the-world race (The Ocean Race), which helped me learn how to really push the new foilers. Covering so many miles and participating in all the races really helped in mastering the boat. We added new foils and we were able to see a new gain in performance. And then this season, we had a lucky star as no technical problem have slowed our progress.
Vendée Globe :
So it's been two years since you launched Initiatives Cœur 4 a Sam Manuard design. Do you see a major change compared to your previous boat?
Four years ago, I had a modified boat which we had added foils to. This boat is an IMOCA built in a 2020 mold that benefits from all the technological advances of the time. It is a Manuard plan that has a ‘scow’ shape (a slightly rounded nose and a spatulated bow) and therefore goes over the sea and winds better. Everything is different in terms of weight, hull shape, structure and build. And that has allowed us to gain a lot of power.
Vendée Globe :
During the last edition, of course you had to abandon before repairing your boat in Cape Town South Africa, an setting off again to complete the loop. Did this experience change you?
Yes, a lot. It is still less mentally hard than my first abandonment (2012-2013, dismasting after 6 days of racing) because I still managed to finish. Despite the difficulty of returning to sea, with my broken ribs, there is still a lot of pride in having gone all the way, in having been followed by the public and in having been able to save 102 children thanks to the “one click, one donation” operation. Finishing despite everything showed me that I was capable of doing something incredible even after a something happening that I could not control. It freed me from the pressure linked to the fear of abandonment. I feel much more serene, I have a much more relaxed approach today than four years ago.
Vendée Globe :
What is the impact of your involvement with Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque on your commitment?
It’s my little extra something. I don’t live for this project only for the sport but for the humanitarian objective that it brings. It pushes me to be even more efficient and, in a way, to do everything not to be going backwards.
Vendée Globe :
What will be your ambition in this Vendée Globe?
What would make me proudest would be to be in the match from the first day until the finish. That's what I missed during my two previous participations. I want to sail with commitment and be at the front. I know that the boat and I are capable of it.
Vendée Globe :
Can you come back to your podium at The Transat CIC (Lorient-New York), how did you feel?
It was really very strong. I was surprised to be there. My mental trainer told me off because he told me "this is proof that you are capable of it, capable of being in the 'top 5', capable of being on the podium". I fought all the way, it was hard but it was great to have obtained this result
Vendée Globe :
You are a favourite in every sense on the circuit… What does that say about the place of women in ocean racing?
It is important to show that we are capable. There is no difference between a man and a woman in our sport. And we know that one day a woman will win the Vendée Globe. Our generation has shown that we can lead successful projects in order to aim for the very top step of the podium. .
Vendée Globe :
Are you approached by young skippers who are looking for your advice?
Yes, that has always been the case and it is really a pleasure to help. Beyond that I have a fairly busy schedule and it is a shame, I would like to give more. With the association ‘The Magenta Project’, I can share my experience, help create opportunities and open doors for young girls who want to progress in ocean racing.
Vendée Globe :
Now, Tanguy Le Turquais and Manuel Cousin among others carry the colours of a social care association (Lazare, Coup de Pouce). Are you happy to have started this movement?
Yes, completely. I think it is very important to give and foster positive outcomes for others as well as doing sport. Our boats, our circuit, the public: everything comes together to be able to get messages across and mobilize. And of course it is possible to combine this commitment with performance.
Vendée Globe :
You really like sharing your daily life at sea through videos, often funny ones. How important is it for you to tell your story, especially in a race as popular as the Vendée Globe?
I always tell myself that I am very lucky to do this, it is almost selfish pleasure. There are so many people who would like to be in our shoes, who follow our adventures or who talk about them in schools or at the office. I want to speak to everyone, to tell them about daily life on board. I am thinking of a few ideas but I don't want to write the story first, I am not an actress, I keep it real and I don't know how to pretend!
Vendée Globe :
Your son Ruben is also going to experience another Vendée Globe. Does the fact that he has already experienced one make the separation less difficult to live with?
I think that all parents in the world understand that it’s not easy to be away from your child for a long time. Plus this time Ruben has both his parents racing (his father is Romain Attanasio, Editor’s note). It forces us to think of everything to be well organized and to anticipate everything, even Christmas presents. I did ask him if he wanted me to stay with him and not do the Vendée Globe. But he told me “no, absolutely not, you have to go!” But we are lucky to share a lot together, especially at the start. We are not to be pitied, I know that there are so many jobs much more difficult than ours!
