Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 TOP

Vendee Globe - Sam Davies, Saveol end sailing journey

by Vendee Globe on 18 Nov 2012
Sam Davies, Saveol dismasting - 2012 Vendee Globe Sam Davies http://www.samdavies.com
The Vendee Globe has suddenly become a competition among men after the only woman in the non-stop round-the-world sailing event decided to end her journey seven days into the race. Emotions burst out moments after Saveol's skipper Samantha Davies cut loose his injured mast into the ocean, becoming the fourth skipper to retire from the race.

One last 'night message' before Saveol and I arrive in Funchal where Erwan and Romain are there to greet me. This Vendee Globe has been too short.

I have been dreaming of sailing fast in the Southern Ocean for too long and now I won't get to go this year. I didn't even see a flying fish, nor the Southern Cross star, nor the Albatrosses.

I will be left with many memories of this Vendee Globe (not just the race, but also the preparations) but a strong memory that will be hard to erase is that moment when I cut the last forestay lashing and freed my injured mast into the ocean. It is hard to describe the emotions that go through your head at this moment - almost wishing to be able to bring it all back but knowing that it is impossible, like the dream of finishing this race. I let it go and, lit by my head torch, saw it float gently to rest in the ocean.

However, this is not all failure. I was there on the start line with a lovely boat and I have an amazing team, a huge family of sponsors and lots and lots of supporters. Saveol is still here, we can repair her, and I am OK. Given the conditions at the time of the dismasting, all of this is to be thankful for.

We will be back!

Good winds to the 16 skippers that are out there racing around the globe. I will follow you closely. When you have a bad day think of me because I would give anything to be out there in your place, even on a bad day!!

'I can't believe it. After all this work, that's what makes me the saddest. It's not just about me, it's all my team, my family and all the people who worked very hard for me. It's not fair for everyone who was expecting a great Vendée Globe.'


Sam Davies après son démâtage/ after her... by VendeeGlobeTV

http://www.vendeeglobe.org/" target="_blank">Vendee Globe website
Switch One DesignsMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZHyde Sails One Design Sale 2025

Related Articles

Offshore news from minis to monsters
Mini Transat, the Mini Globe Race, and Transat Café L'OR news Sailing headlines of late might be dominated by big monohulls or foiling multihulls (we'll get there), but there are two interesting races afoot involving big oceans and small boats, namely the Mini Transat and the Mini Globe Race.
Posted today at 9:00 pm
Rolex Middle Sea Race Day 3
Shifting Fortunes It has been a tricky 24 hours for all crews competing in the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race. All yachts are through the Messina Strait, with the last pair, Mowgli of Portsmouth (GBR) and Sao Jorge (GBR), exiting at lunchtime today.
Posted today at 6:51 pm
Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award voting opens
Public votes are now open to determine the winner 120 yacht racing photographers representing 26 nations have submitted an image for photo contest dedicated to the sport of sailing. The top 20 images will be exhibited at Metstrade Amsterdam, and the prize-giving will take place on November 21.
Posted today at 6:35 pm
Entry open for 2026 Tre Golfi Sailing Week
The 2026 edition will open with the ORC World Championship The spotlight returns to the Gulf of Naples with the official launch of the Tre Golfi Sailing Week, set to take place from May 5 to May 28 and featuring 3 premier regattas: the ORC Worlds, the 71st Tre Golfi Offshore Regatta, and the IMA Maxi Europeans.
Posted today at 5:41 pm
Clipper 2025-26 Race Stage 2 Finish
Team Yacht Punta del Este receive heroes home port welcome Team Yacht Club Punta del Este has sailed into its home port to the heroes welcome it every bit deserves after completing the first ocean crossing of the Clipper 2025-26 Race.
Posted today at 3:30 pm
Don't miss our upcoming must-watch free Webinar
Tracking and Fleet Monitoring discussion on 22nd October 2025 Yacht tracking and fleet monitoring are essential, yet traditional tracking methods face significant challenges. On October 22nd we are hosting an exclusive and free webinar, with an in-depth exploration of the latest in tracking technology.
Posted today at 2:00 pm
Transat Café L'or village opened in Le Havre
It is a high level fleet which even across the 16 previous editions. The TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR race village opened in Le Havre, Normandie in beautiful Autumn sunshine which blessed the thousands of visitors who took advantage of the start of the French holidays to see the fleet of 74 boats which will race to Martinique.
Posted today at 11:23 am
2025 Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos day 3
Tow-in finals, foilstyle sparks, and a cleanup for the planet Day three at the Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos started off calm once again, with light winds and no chance to kick off the fin eliminations.
Posted today at 9:04 am
Don Trask International Masters Regatta
Raab takes his first victory at San Diego Yacht Club By a narrow margin of just 3 points, the ever-colorful Chris Raab and his team won the 2025 Don Trask International Masters Regatta hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club, finishing with 59 points after three days of racing.
Posted today at 5:36 am
Morris and Meehan shortlisted as finalists
For Young World Sailor of the Year Australia's next generation of sailing talent is making waves on the world stage, with Grae Morris and Rory Meehan both named as finalists for the Kuehne+Nagel Young World Sailor of the Year Award - Male.
Posted today at 5:27 am