Vendée Globe

February 14. 2009 at 10:10Sam's first words on the podium

“It was nice to have a few hours moored up. I’m pleased to have brought Roxy to Les Sables d'Olonne. I’ve just realised I’m back on dry land for the first time in three months. I’m happy and it was like that almost all the time. I use positive energy to feel good. It’s such a big thing doing the Vendée Globe. There were two or three moments that were difficult to be positive about, with Yann and his leg or Jean capsizing. Those were very stressful moments. Then, there was the time off Brazil, when I was stuck without any wind for several days. Even now when I think of everything I did in the south, I don’t know how I did it and I don’t know why I wasn’t afraid! My first time in the south for the Jules Verne Trophy was eleven years ago. I was a young girl without much experience and so I couldn’t enjoy it as much as this time.
It didn’t feel too long. I even wondered during the night if I shouldn’t set off again, but a lot of people would have been disappointed. I hadn’t realised how popular I was. I was in my little pink bubble on Roxy, but when I looked at my website, that cheered me up, and I was surprised by all the messages from everywhere in the world.
What I’m going to miss is being alone on my boat. It was enjoyable and I was lucky to be able to do that ... The other night, I told myself that this was my final evening and the phone kept ringing. So I put on my i-Pod and turned the music up. There I was at the helm under spinnaker in the sunset. It’s what I love most.
But I won’t miss my two buckets. I really want to have a nice shower with a lot of products and creams! Now my goal is to do better in 2012, and I’m going to be doing my utmost to be back here in four years."

February 14. 2009 at 09:40Alongside

And Sam douses the media with champagne after docking, stopping for ten minutes to answer questions from the radio and TV and journalists before heading to the podium. On the water in RIB were both Yann Elies and Roland Jourdain out to greet Sam, Mike Golding is also here. Best moment for Sam was Cape Horn, worst moments were when she was worrying about Yann Elies when he was injured on board Generali.

February 14. 2009 at 09:14Entering the marina

And Sam is fully kitted out for the weather, it is still very cold this morning and she will dock in a few minutes before stepping back on to dry land for the first time in more than 96 days. There are also big crowds in the Arrival Village, and at 0700hrs this morning there was already a big queue at the gates, people waiting in the freezing cold, desperate to get the best spot in front of the big screen and hoping to catch a few words with Sam maybe.

Roxy will dock behind Brit Air which arrived here exactly a week ago ithis morning n second place.

February 14. 2009 at 09:09Slowing down

The official number of people out to greet Sam is '......a lot' ...they are four or five deep along the whole channel and the narrow waterway is chock a block with boats, and every so often Roxy comes to a halt just due to the volume of traffic. It is like the Pied Piper with a long train of boats of all shapes and sizes following the polka dot Open 60 down the canal.

February 14. 2009 at 09:04In the channel and loving it

Sam Davies, her Roxy team, friends, family and supporters are arriving down the channel now in perfect sunshine. Thousands of people are lined up on both sides and the cheers can be heard for miles as Sam leaps around the bow of Roxy, standing up on the pulpit and waving to everyone with that 1000 watt smile, laughing to herself. No sign of any lack of energy after a long night waiting to come ashore. And another pair of flares are lit as she passes half way down the channel now.

February 14. 2009 at 08:50Winds easing for Dee

“With the wind easing, I was finally able to hoist my mainsail away from the third reef that looked so awful. As the damage to the sail moves further up the rig it looks much better. I think it is something to do with it being further away. Again a rustling of materials and a confetti of sail cloth flew into the breeze behind me. I am almost relieved that there are not many more times where I will need to put a reef in or take one out again. With under 500 miles to go the end is starting to feel real although I am trying to concentrate on the sailing and not think too much about the end until I see the line with my own eyes. I am fully aware with light winds forecast I am still to be frustrated before we get to Les Sables d'Olonne.
At this stage I am in awe of Marco on Safran who is sailing his final 1000 miles with no keel. That is an awesome feat and to have the skill and ability to sail in that state and to live the final few days with the mainsheet in his hand is incredible. My fingers are crossed for him and the hero's welcome that will await his arrival.”

Dee Caffari (Aviva) in her daily message sent yesterday evening
 

February 14. 2009 at 08:34Perfect morning for Sam's arrival

It is a perfect morning for Sam Davies'  to transit the channel back to the marina which she left on November 9th 2008. The sun has just risen and is starting to elevate the temperatures slightly after a very chilly night. People have been moving around since 5 and 6 in the morning here to book their best vantage point to pay their tributes to Sam Davies and welcome her back. The flags around the Vendee Globe regatta village are scarcely lifting in a light breeze and already the huge sound system in the village is cranking out the music. She is due to enter the channel mouth around 0900hrs.

February 14. 2009 at 06:41Back to civilisation

"Just a couple of hours to go of this Friday the 13th. Seen two fishing boats out today and two cargo ships, they are my biggest worry at the moment, but so far no close calls. It is very strange coming back to civilisation. I have no idea at all about that is happening in the world. All I know, there is a new and better President of the USA, the economy is in the dumps and there has been snow in the South of England. Otherwise, it will be a big surprise to me. Normally I would read the paper every day and be in tune with events, but this race has taken over all my thoughts for the last 3 months and soon there will be a new world to adapt back into. Some of it will be great, like family, friends and hot showers. Some of it may be unwelcome, like traffic, pollution and noise.Even the apparently mundane, might hold new wonder. For instance, today I saw my first aeroplane fly overhead since the start of the race. It came straight over my head from the East, heading out across the Atlantic. I could not stop staring at it, it was amazing. As it flew directly over Bahrain Team Pindar in the bright, blue sky, its twin contrails streamed and swirled off its tail exactly like the wake of a ship. It was as if there was a sea above me that was mirroring the sea below, it was quite uncanny. It was probably something I would never normally pay attention to, and of course soon I am going to be alert to a whole new range of experiences, outside that of the sea, the sky and the boat.

Just 330 miles to the finish now and the sailing feels like I am on a lake after the rough waters I have been through lately. It is upwind sailing in 10-15 knots of wind, and will remain similar to this to the finish, so slow progress as I tack back and forth. The skies are mainly clear in the High Pressure and it does not really feel like February in the Northern Hemisphere yet. I am wearing a Musto beany hat and a few thermal layers, but nothing like the layers I wore in the Southern Ocean in it’s summer. I am hoping to finish Sunday before dark, that’s my goal and of course to stay ahead of my friend Dee who is close on my tail. Monday would be the latest finish, unless something goes awry. "

Brian THompson (Bahrain Team Pindar) in his daily message

February 14. 2009 at 02:14On board

Sam's family are on board now, her mum and dad Paul and Jenny and her sister Debbie, and her boyfriend Romain, all re-united for the cameras to a huge cheer from the dozens of boats out here, there are many people on board and it looks like the party has started.

February 14. 2009 at 01:57Celebrations begin

Sam is up on the foredeck now with the boat under the control of her technical team, the Roxy boys, with two appropriately pink flares lighting up the whole area as she starts the celebrations, dancing on the decks, looking up to the skies and loving the relief and the sheer joy that she made it, and her adventure has been so all consuming, and so fulfilling.