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Saturday, January 31, 2009

Sailing : Sam Davies onboard Roxy crosses Equator for second time in Vendée Globe

Solo female skipper on final stretch home

Today at 14:27 GMT, after 81 days of sailing in the Vendée Globe - solo non-stop round the world race - leading Briton Sam Davies and her bright pink boat Roxy crossed the Equator for the second time. This milestone signals the start of the home straight for the intrepid female skipper in the Vendée Globe. She has defied everything the race has thrown at her, including a ‘Mercy Mission’ to help fellow Vendée skipper and friend, Yann Eliès, after he horrifically suffered a broken leg.

With 3,200 miles to go until the finish line in Les Sables d’Olonne, Sam is in fourth place and is confident she will complete her maiden Vendée Globe in around 10-14 days time. Upon doing so, she will become only the second ever British female – the other being Dame Ellen MacArthur – to finish the Vendée Globe, consolidating her status as today’s leading British sailor. Sam is currently 250 miles ahead of nearest British rival, sailing legend Brian Thompson, and 400 miles ahead of record breaking female sailor Dee Caffari.

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