Sam Davies to compete in Transat AG2R

As boyfriend Romain Attanasio secures new sponsorship

A few weeks before the start of the Figaro class' Transat AG2R La Mondiale, Romain Attanasio and Sam Davies have announced their entry on board the Figaro Savéol. This news comes two months after Attanasio finalised his partnership with his new sponsor Savéol.

Alongside their skipper Romain Attanasio, Savéol will sail for the first time on the Figaro circuit with the most Breton of British sailors, Attanasio's girlfriend Sam Davies. Davies finished fourth in the last Vendée Globe aboard Roxy, and returns to the Figaro following a four year absence.

"I can’t wait to get out there sailing," says Sam. "I have great memories of the Transat AG2R and I love the Figaro class! The level is very good and it is a real pleasure to begin this new adventure with Romain.”

Faithful to the circuit since 2000, when he completed its first Solitaire du Figaro, Romain does not need to prove himself! He was winner of the first edition of the Odyssey of Ulysses from Cannes to Istanbul and finished third in the Transat AG2R in 2004. After a year out from the circuit, he has every intention of making a strong come back.

For Romain, the agreement with Savéol was signed at the end of the year. Savéol is a collective of 150 tomato growers. It produces the widest range of tomatoes on the French market with over 20 varieties and has become the leading producer of tomatoes in France in 25 years. The cooperative also cultivates the famous Pougastel strawberry. They produce 70,000 tons of tomatoes per year and 1200 tons of strawberries, with a turnover of 140 million €.

"I was very pleased that Savéol proposed to us to sail together, we have never had that opportunity before," said Attanasio. "This is a new challenge for me and clearly is an extra motivation." As for Sam, she is very pleased to be the starters with Romain. “We’ve been waiting for this opportunity for ages! It’s great ! I am currently working to find a partnership for the Vendée Globe and I miss sailing. I will finally be back at sea and we will give this race our very best effort…”

"To set off on a 3710 mile race requires a sound understanding among the crew. We obviously have absolute trust in each other, but above all we have tremendous respect for each other’s work”, says Romain. And if they have not sailed many miles together on board the same boat, Sam remains very confident: “We have supported each other over 70,000 miles 24/24 by email and telephone. It matters! And Romain is very dynamic on the water, always looking for performance and it is motivating. In fact I am calmer, more sedate, we really are complementary on land and at sea,” explains Sam.

Before the start on 18 April, some practice will be needed as the duo has set themselves some real targets: a 3rd in the 2004 race with Nicolas Bérenger, Romain has every intention of improving upon this performance.

Since mid-January, Romain and Sam have followed an intense physical training regime in the Port La Forêt Centre: swimming, cycling and weight training punctuate their weeks. Their first training doublehanded on board Savéol will begin on 11 February. Attanasio will also sail in the Solo-Les Sables on 15 March, as a qualifier for La Solitaire du Figaro.