Sam a former Portsmouth High School pupil who left in 1992 has been at sea since November 9th competing in the Vendee Globe a single-handed round the world race. 

Last Sunday morning, the 63rd day of the race, she rounded Cape Horn in 4th position. Just beforehand the winds were so strong that Roxy was knocked flat (ie tipped 90°) but fortunately, as designed to do, the boat self-righted.

In her daily newswire, Sam said, “ I've waited 11 years to round this rock and it's great to be back in the Atlantic.  I'm still enjoying myself.  Even if yesterday when I was sailing in the shallower waters off the Horn, where the sea bed rises from 4000 metres to less than 100 metres, there were some big surfs and it was the first time I've been afraid in this voyage.  I clung on inside and shut myself in, which was a good idea as just afterwards the boat was knocked down by a wave and the cockpit was full of water.   I know I'm very, very lucky to be able to do the Vendée Globe with Roxy and I am enjoying every minute. I think Roxy is a great boat for these conditions.

Of the 30 starters in the race, only 12 remain, such has been the extent of damage to rudders, keels, sails and rigging of the boats. You may have read that just before Christmas Sam sailed to give psychological support to an injured sailor, Yann Eliès, who broke his leg and was rescued after two days by the Australian Navy. Sam has had to make repairs to Roxy’s rudder and various parts of the rigging – her Mechanical Engineering degree has come into its own!

The race is 24,000 miles long and Sam has another 7,000 to go, finishing at Les Sables D’Olonne in about four weeks’ time. For up to date news of the race - http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/  To send Sam a message  - www.samdavies.com/