Skandia sponsor Sam

Sam Davies gets backing for her Figaro campaign

Skandia, long term sponsors of the UK's top sailing event, Cowes Week, today announced title sponsorship of Sam Davies' 2003 Figaro Campaign, the latest addition to their global Set Sail campaign. The new 32 foot Figaro Beneteau race boat was officially named Skandia by Ellen MacArthur in Cherbourg this morning.

André Oszmann, the Skandia Group's Chief Marketing Officer is highly enthusiastic about this opportunity. "Through Set Sail we aim to offer more people, more opportunities to participate in the sport on a broader level. As well as supporting Sam to help her achieve her own objectives, we will be working in partnership with Sam and Offshore Challenges to grow the sport's reach and make sailing more accessible".

"This European sponsorship is the first step in developing our international Set Sail campaign and we are looking forward to introducing further initiatives in due course", continued André.


Sam Davies with Skandia's Sponsorship Manager Tim Sewell

28 year old Sam is the rising star of the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team, following hot on the heels of Nick Moloney and Ellen MacArthur. Her big aim is the French dominated Figaro circuit, a series of 6 two-up and solo events that culminate with the Solitaire du Figaro - 2000 grueling single-handed miles between France, Ireland and Spain. Racing in identical One Design 32 foot Beneteau Figaros, the highly competitive 40 strong fleet stays so close together, the intensity is like that of round-the-cans inshore racing - except of course they are on their own, and offshore. Sleep deprivation is at an extreme level, and the all round skills of the sailors are tested to their limit.

The Figaro circuit has been the launch pad for just about every famous French offshore sailor - including the winner of the Vendée Globe 2000, Michel Desjoyeaux who has twice won the event. Sam's big goal is to win the 'Rookie' title - the coveted trophy for the newcomers to the event in 2003.

Sam will be the first British female to compete on the Figaro circuit, since international novelist and former offshore sailor Clare Francis competed in 1976.

"Skandia's support is fantastic news for me, as well as for sailing in general. Skandia is giving me a great chance to progress in the sport and race against the top solo sailors in the world - now it's all up to me and my team !" an excited Sam commented as she worked on final preparations for her first big race.