Sam Davies update

News of her winter training programme and forthcoming sailing schedule in 2005

Sam Davies’ 2005 Figaro season onboard her Beneteau2 Skandia boat kicks off in less than three weeks time with a single-handed transatlantic race – a 4265 miles from St.Nazaire to Cuba.

Sam has spent the winter at the elite training school in Port La Forêt where she has been training since the end of the 2003 Figaro season. Sam was chosen as one of the 24 sailors who were selected to train together as a team (16 of which are part of the Figaro circuit).

This training has played a major part in Sam’s improvement in this class since she started competing in 2003. Last year she managed to improve her results on her previous season finishing with a top 10 place in the French Solo Championship (Championnat de France des Solitaires). In 2004 Sam’s mainsail displayed the number 27, in 2005 this number will change to 10, reflecting her position.

Now taking part in her third Figaro season, Sam has clearly defined her objective for 2005: "To finish in the top ten of the Solitaire du Figaro”. The Solitaire du Figaro is the main event of the Figaro circuit, and this year starts from from Perros Guirec (France) on the 7th August. But before that comes the first of two major races – the Trophée BPE, singlehanded transatlantic race starting on 3rd April from Saint-Nazaire, France – Cuba and then the Générali Solo in June.

This week will be Sam’s last week of training before leaving Port La Forêt early next to deliver Skandia to St.Nazaire in preparation for the prologue on 1st April and the start on 3rd April.

Some questions put to Sam: What have you been up to since last season?
Sam Davies: "At the beginning of the winter, my Figaro Skandia was in the boat shed at Port Le Forêt where Erwan, my preparateur, and I worked hard on the re-fit, refining and tuning We also spent time learning about every detail of the boat in order to maximize her performance. We carried out some necessary modifications for the first race of the season - our solo transatlantic race from Saint-Nazaire to Cuba. We worked on the set up of the boat, fixings, chart table, etc, even the smallest details make a difference!

We’ve continued to develop the sails, the mast and the rudders since last winter. The safety requirements onboard are obviously a very important aspect for our transatlantic race, we now need a whole ‘safety kit’ onboard which includes a handheld VHF radio, which allows us to communicate with a plane. I’ve also made modifications onboard to improve my comfort, in particular with a beanbag which is completely waterproof. I can quite comfortably sleep on this without having to lie down and stretch out. Very practical! Musto provide me with all my clothing, which will help me to keep dry especially in the first two weeks of the race which are likely to be cold and very wet! "

How did you feel about being selected as one of the recruits at the Pôle Finistere Course au Large training programme at Port La Forêt?
"I was very fortunate to be selected once again to be part of the team for 2005. I am really happy to be continuing to work with Christian Le Pape and the team at Pôle Finistere Course au Large because, for me, it is the most effective way of training to continue to improve on the Figaro circuit. The training is rigorous and full-time (6 days per week) including both on and off the water work. The team is very motivated and everybody has the same drive to improve. Obviously, it is thanks to Skandia and all my other partners that enable me to sail full time. I learnt so much last year - in two months I gained valuable experience and confidence in my boat handling and speed. I can't wait to get out there racing again! I am one of 5 or 6 skippers who are taking part in the Trophée BPE. The first event for the other skippers is the Générali Solo which I am also doing, but we all training together.”

How do you think you compare to your teammates at Port La Forêt and how are you finding the training?
"I feel like my sailing and the adjustments I need to make to optimize my performance has really improved during the training this winter. I feel like I’m sailing much faster now than I was last year and I’m finding the handling of Skandia easier. I even beat Vincent Riou two weeks ago!! (winner of the Vendée Globe 2004/05). We have been sailing in pretty tough conditions, including two days of sailing in 30 knots of wind. It’s very tiring! To help us train for racing in these conditions we train hard out of the boat including swimming, running and weight training in the gym. Our on land training also involves spending time in the classroom before and after training on the water. The de-briefings are particularly interesting because we can learn from the experiences of others, for example Vincent Riou had some great tips for sailing under pilot. It is important that we are progressing mentally as well as physically."

What is your objective for your 2005 Figaro season?
"I want to finish in the top ten of the Solitaire du Figaro. I want to be in the leading pack. For the Saint-Nazaire-Cuba race (Trophée BPE), my objective is to arrive in Cuba safely on Skandia, in one piece! The level is very high - there are 10 or 11 skippers who could win! But, I will fight hard! "

2005 FIGARO PROGRAMME
3 April: Trophée BPE 2005 (St.Nazaire – Cienfuegos, Cuba)
6-25 June: La Generali Solo (Bassin Méditerranéen)
1-28 August: La Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro 2005

Sam's new website at http://www.samdavies.com/skandia