The British sailor, Samantha Davies has today confirmed she will be taking part in the 2012-2013 Vendée Globe. Fourth in the last event, Sam has always said she wanted to take part in the next event in 2012. She has now managed to achieve that goal thanks to the Breton company Saveol, which has come alongside her. This is extremely good news for the Vendée Globe, as with just under a year to go to the start, 15 skippers have now signed up for the solo round the world race. This is particularly pleasing given the current economic crisis, as a top class line-up is falling into place. The goal that the organisers set themselves of between 15 and 20 skippers lining up, is now becoming reality.
The first woman to register for the 2012 Vendée Globe
Bruno Retailleau, President of the SAEM Vendée could not hide his satisfaction following on from this announcement that Sam Davies has found a new partner: “We are proud and pleased to welcome Samantha as one of the competitors in the next Vendée Globe. Sam is the fifteenth skipper to confirm they were taking part and it is really pleasing to see that in spite of the crisis and its effects on sponsoring that our hard work is paying off. We shall continue in the coming months to inform and make businesses aware of what is available, in order to help the remaining skippers, who are still looking for partners. There is now just under a year to go, and anything is possible when you see the quality of the skippers and the boats that are still available. There are still a lot of opportunities out there, but with 15 to 20 skippers at the start, for us the gamble has already paid off.”
For the Vendée Globe, the announcement that Sam Davies will be taking part is indeed good news. Firstly because she will strengthen the foreign contingent, ensuring that this is truly an international event. And because Sam, who is a true star in the eyes of the public and media, will add a feminine touch to a line-up that was until now exclusively made up of men.
