Samantha Davies

Samantha "Sam" Davies (born 23 August 1974 in Portsmouth) is an English yachtswoman.

Personal life

Davies went to school at Portsmouth High School and received a degree in mechanical engineering from St John's College, Cambridge. She now lives in Kerlin (Trégunc), Brittany, France. She has a son, Ruben, whom she shares with her ex-partner, fellow offshore sailor Romain Attanasio.

Biography

Samantha Davies came into the limelight with her 2008-2009 single-handed world circumnavigation in the Vendée Globe race, where she placed fourth. She was the third to cross the finish line, but owed a time allowance of 50 Hr to competitor Marc Guillemot, who crossed the line 48:40' after her. The time allowance was applied following both competitors' diversion to assist injured skipper Yann Eliès, but Marc Guillemot benefited from a larger handicap because of his forward position in the race. In 2009 she was awarded Yachtsman of the year by the yachting journalist association.

During the 2020-2021 Vendee Globe, she was forced to retire on day 26 with keel damage following collision with an unidentified floating object. She sailed to Cape Town where the damage was fully accessed and repaired and she continued outside the race and completed her circumnavigation in a time of 109d, 23h, 40m.

Record of achievement

Pos. Year Event Class Boat Time Notes Ref.Round the world races 13 / 40 2025 2024–2025 Vendée Globe IMOCA 60 Initiatives-Cœur (4) 80d 22h 13m 39s 6 / 7 2015 2014–2015 Volvo Ocean Race Volvo Ocean 65 Team SCA Skipper. Rotated Crew: Corinna Halloran (onboard reporter)Anna-Lena Elled (reserve onboard reporter) Richard Mason (shore manager) 5 / 22 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Initiatives-Cœur (3) 20d 17h 30m 10s with 7 / 29 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Initiatives-Cœur (3) 14d 09h 30m 44s with 6 / 13 2017 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Initiatives-Cœur (3) 15d 07h 40m 39s with 5 / 20 2015 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Initiatives-Cœur (2) 18d 07h 09m 14s with 4 / 25 2010 Transat Ag2r Beneteau Figaro 2 SAVEOL 22d 19h 44m 22s with 10 / 14 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Artemis (2) with 5 / 13 2008 The Artemist Transat (OSTAR) IMOCA 60 Roxy (2) 15d 10h 00m 51s 10 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Roxy (2) with 7 / 15 2007 Transat B to B IMOCA 60 Roxy (2) 17d 17h 38m 46s 12 / 28 2006 Transat Ag2r Beneteau Figaro 2 ROXY 20d 06h 52m 45s with 5 / 31 2004 Transat Ag2r Beneteau Figaro 2 TROPHEE BPE SAINT-NAZAIRE - CUBA 20d 18h 40m 52s with 6 / 17 2003 Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA 60 Team Cowes 18d 19h 57m 35s with 11 2003 Mini Transat Race Mini Transat 6.50 No. 276 - Aberdeen Asset Management 4 / 9 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race IMOCA 60 Initiatives-Cœur 2d 18h 14m 48s with 2009 Female Round Britain and Ireland World Record IMOCA 60 Aviva 6d 11h 30s with DNF 1998 Round the World Record / Jules Verne Trophy Attempt Maxi Cat. Royal Sun Alliance Skippered by