Sam Davies - a madforsailing profile

Any other notable regatta wins you’d like to mention?
Won Fastnet Race Class 1 on Chernikeef in 1999, top Sydney 40 at the Admiral's Cup and World Champions in 1999 on Merit Cup. And I have attempted several world records on Royal & SunAlliance (including the Jules Verne.)

Where did you grow up?
Hayling Island.

What job do you do?
I sell Harken deck gear (amongst other jobs) at Diverse Yachts (when I’m not sailing!).

If you weren’t doing the job you are, what would you be doing instead?
Sailing.

What other sports do you do outside sailing?
Row, swim, cycle.

Any other hobbies or interests?
Going to the gym.

Favourite method of relaxing?
Sailing.

Favourite bar or pub?
The Maypole in Cambridge.

What inspired you to take up sailing?
Cruising with my Mum and Dad.

Where was your first sailing club?
Hayling Island.

Which class did you first race in?
Topper, 420 and an old One Tonner in Lymington.

How did you buy your first boat?
With the help of a very kind father!

Have you ever used a coach?
Serge Madec and Ed Danby on RSA, Andy Hemmings, Andy Beadsworth, Ian Budgen and Glyn Charles for Match Racing. While Andrew Cape is helping me a lot with the Mini Transat.

Do you have any professional links to the sport?
Sometimes.

What’s your most memorable moment in sailing?
Sailing the 92 foot cat in the Southern Ocean during our Jules Verne attempt on Royal & SunAlliance. Then losing the rig sticks pretty hard in my memory. And my first solo trip in my Mini Transat boat!!

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
Top ten result in the Mini Transat Race 2001, and the Jules Verne Trophy.

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
That depends, some weeks I am working at Diverse Yachts, some weeks I sail all the time!

Do you have a sponsor, and if so, who?
Aberdeen Asset Management, Henri-Lloyd, Oakley, Sobstad Sails and Diverse Yachts!!

Who are your Sailing heroes and why?
Eric Tabarly - obvious! Olivier de Kersauson, holder of the Jules Verne Trophy. Peter Blake has won the Whitbread, the Jules Verne and the America’s Cup. There's Joey Allen, a top bowman, and Ellen MacArthur - I worked for her a few years ago and admire her determination to succeed.

What is the best excuse you’ve ever made for a poor performance in a race?
Trying to sail (and do the mast) with a broken rib.

What is the best excuse you’ve ever heard for a poor performance in a race, and from who?
A poor Frenchman with the world's biggest jellyfish stuck on his keel.

What’s your favourite sailing venue?
Southern Ocean for offshore sailing; Miami, Key West and Palma for round the cans; and Brittany for cruising.

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of championship regattas?
Being able to work miracles with the weather!

What’s your greatest strength in sailing?
Patience and forward thinking.

What’s your greatest weakness in sailing?
I’m sometimes too laid back.

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Make sure you are always enjoying yourself.

Would you rather sail with your friends - or with Russell Coutts?
With my friends, but I’d learn a lot if I sailed with Russell Coutts!

Who’s the best sailor in Britain?
I couldn’t say one single answer, so: Single-handed, Ellen MacArthur; Offshore, Ado Stead; Match Racing, Andy Beadsworth and Ian Williams; Best Bowman, James Stagg (Shag); then there's also Shirley, Ben Ainslie and Ian Walker etc. etc.

Who’s the best sailor in the world?
Again, as above there is not one answer.

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