Sam Davies's blog

I've just finished my last training session at Port La Foret Finistere Course au Large, before the Vendee Globe start.
I am totally exhausted, but really pleased with the three days of intense sailing that we have done, in the sort of conditions you would call "challenging!" - 20-30 knots of wind all the time!

The line-up was:
Jean Le Cam - VM
Michel Desjoyeaux - Foncia
Seb Josse - BT
Jeremie Beyou - Delta Dore
Armel Le Cleach - Brit Air
Yann Elies - Generali
Bilou - Veolia
Bernard Stamm - Poujolat

Hello everyone!  The last ten days has been really busy!

We set off for the UK the weekend before last. The delivery trip was a solo training session, with me and Tanguy on board. It's better to sail in the channel with 2 so that we can keep a proper watch, as there is so much traffic. Also, with Tanguy on board, I work harder on my boat-speed, we work together on all the settings, and we have a good debrief,  so I get more out of the trip.

Our adventures in the Pays Basque were VERY tiring, but LOTS of fun!

We set off three weeks ago, in a nice Bay of Biscay storm - Westerly wind 30-45 knots! That was another good training session, as we screamed down towards Biarritz at speeds of over 20 knots! 14 hours after leaving Lorient, we swapped our ski-masks and drysuits for shorts and T-shirt as the wind dropped off and the sun came out.

Hello everyone!
We are finally starting to dry out on board Roxy as the wind is decreasing. There have been clothes and boots airing everywhere, and we've been "chasing out smells" and cleaning everywhere. Life with the four of us cooped up inside an open 60 that is crashing along at 20 knots with a washing machine effect outside quickly becomes pretty "humid"!

On board ROXY, about 400 miles West of the Azores.

We left Boston last Sunday, so we've been out here for nearly a week. I have spent nearly all of the time that I'm not on watch sleeping, and resting reading my book and now I have a bit more energy and feel quite normal!

On board Roxy with me are Xavier David, Guillame Helfer and Corentin Chenais. It is great to have my team mates on board with me. We have had a lot of fun and they are learning how Roxy behaves out here in the ocean.