Roxy Sailing, the sailing team sponsored by Roxy, crossed the start line of the infamous Vendee Globe at 12:02 GMT today, commencing her circumnavigation of the globe against a fleet of 29 other IMOCA 60s. The solo non-stop round the world race is the first one for skipper Samantha Davies, one of two female British sailors in the race. It is the pinnacle event of her campaign, taking the British sailor 24,000 miles from Les Sables d’Olonne to Les Sables d’Olonne (France).
After three amazing weeks for Roxy Sailing in Les Sables d’Olonne spent doing final checks, cleaning and loading food on the boat but also training, resting, and doing interviews; it was time to say a final goodbye to the families, friends and thousands of people who came to see the start of the race.
Just before leaving the docks, onboard two times winner of the race Roxy (formerly PRB), Sam Davies commented: “It has been an amazing few weeks emotionally. Thousands of people came to the race village to offer me presents, take pictures or ask me to sign posters. The Vendee Globe is a magical race because of its atmosphere and the public following and I feel really privileged to be here on the start line. I have felt ready since I arrived and have been counting the minutes before the gun fires”.
With a three meter swell and 15 to 18 knots of south-westerly wind at the start, Sam Davies stayed west of the rest of the fleet. Despite a fierce weather forecast for the first few days, her main fear in the Vendee was the start itself. With thousands of spectator boats on the water the start is very stressful and with safety the first priority, Sam decided not to go with the rest of the pack and so avoid the spectator fleet. “I will only be relieved tonight when offshore and on my own,” explained Sam. “The Vendee Globe is such a long race that you can’t afford to have a problem on the start line. The conditions we should have in the next couple of days also mean that I have to take it easy at the moment. A cold front will bring us rain and very strong wind/gusts. It won’t be pleasant or easy but I am still hugely excited as if it was Christmas! It is weird emotionally because you go from one extreme to the other but that is what we have all signed up for.”
Within a fleet mainly made of new boats, Sam’s primary goal is to complete the race, and ideally to be back in Les Sables d’Olonne in less than 87 days, 10 hours and 47 minutes, the record held by Vincent Riou and established by Roxy in 2005 (when previously known as PRB). “I am realistic about the race. Roxy is an old lady so it won’t be easy for me but she knows the way so well that it can make a difference. We are going for an amazing adventure together and my victory will be to be back here in less than three months. When I went around the world ten years ago with a crew of 11, I remember finding it hard so I know the scale of the challenge is huge. I am here to enjoy it and that is what I intend to do.”
Information about material onboard Roxy for the Vendee Globe:
In total, Roxy will be leaving with 500 kilos of mobile material and equipment
117 kg of food, mainly freeze dried food from New Zealand, a lot of chocolate for treats, 7 kg of crackers and 8.5kg of bread
30kg of spare rope
50kg of clothing
20kg of tools for potential repairs
20kg of spares (auto pilot, electric material etc)
18 litres of mineral water + 9 Emergency
5 tiny bottles of champagne for the race key moments
2 water maker
7 cameras onboard
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