Born in England into a family of sailors, Sam Davies spent her childhood on the water. An engineering graduate from Cambridge University, she began her competitive career at the age of 24, with a 1st crewed round-the-world voyage. With 5 solo and team circumnavigations and numerous transatlantic crossings to her credit, she is one of the most experienced sailors on the board. She embodies determination, daring and a passion for adventure at sea. At the helm of her new IMOCA Initiatives-Cœur, built in 2022, Sam takes advantage of every race to raise funds for children with heart defects. Her dedication to this noble cause makes her a sailor with a big heart, combining sporting performance and solidarity.
I'm lucky enough to have already qualified for the Vendée Globe, so I don't feel any pressure in that respect. It's been a busy year, I've done the big leg of The Ocean Race, there's the Transat Jacques Vabre, and yet I feel I haven't sailed enough, especially single-handed. Last year was a bit complicated for me, for the boat. My timing wasn't right for the Route du Rhum. My last Vendée Globe, I broke too early... So now I'm really looking forward to solo sailing again, because it feels like it's been a really long time! The team has been working really well all winter, so it's the right time to get back to enjoying myself and building up my solo confidence. And to finally be able to push myself, go to my limits, and find things to improve for next year. The best way to work is to be racing.
I'm one of the oldest around here. I started sailing in IMOCA in 2006, with my boat Roxy, and it wasn't even called La Base yet... To be honest, it was even a bit hot in the evenings! Now it's become a great place, which I know really well. In 2008, after my 4th place in the Vendée Globe, I received an incredible welcome. The arrivals on this Retour à la Base are going to be a real highlight!
Two things come to mind. The first is that there's no longer any sharing of decision-making. It's actually quite rare in today's world to find yourself alone to make important decisions, which have an impact on your safety or performance. With two people, you always have another point of view, and that's constructive. And then, of course, there's always the assurance that there's someone else there when the going gets tough, and to deal with the consequences if we push the envelope with our very powerful boats. When you're sailing solo, you have to respect the red line more, and trust your boat and your autopilot more. Oh yes, there's also no one left to joke with you, to play down the situation, to help you relax... but when you succeed at something that's difficult single-handed, the satisfaction is even greater!
Sometimes what's most tiring is getting back home, getting back into the family rhythm, school, daily life... In this case, we're going to stay in race mode, on the move, which means more complications in terms of family logistics, but it allows us to stay in our own bubble! We'll be leaving tired, but for the Vendée Globe, we'll be sailing tired, so it'll be instructive and help us project ourselves into this endurance exercise...
2023
The Ocean Race - 4th overall with Biotherm
Guyader Bermuda 1000 Race - 5th
2022
Route du Rhum - 28th
Défi Azimut - 7th
2021
Transat Jacques Vabre - 5th
Azimuth Challenge - 6th
Rolex Fastnet Race - 5th
2020
Vendée Globe - finishes out of the race
Azimuth Challenge - 2nd
Vendée-Arctique - 4th
2019
Transat Jacques Vabre - 7th
2018
Drheam Cup - Winner
Bermuda 1000 Race - 2nd
2017
Transat Jacques Vabre - 6th
2015
Transat Jacques Vabre - 5th
2008
Vendée Globe - 4th
2014
Volvo Ocean Race (Team SCA)
2010
Transat Ag2r - 4th
2001
Mini Transat - 11th
Name: Initiatives Coeur 4
Architect:Sam Manuard
Building: 2022, Black Pepper Yachts
Launching: 07/30/2022
Lenght: 18,28m
Beam:NC
Draught: 4,50m
Weight:NC
Mast height: 29m
Mast type: Wing-mast
Foils: yes
Upwind:NC
Downwind: NC
Initiatives-Cœur is supported by 4 Sponsors-Mécènes.
Initiatives-Les Chocolats du Cœur
Avec sa marque "Les Chocolats du Cœur” L’entreprise Initiatives propose des ventes de chocolats solidaires aux associations, établissements scolaires, entreprises, CSE et particuliers. Ces chocolats fins sont fabriqués près d'Orléans par la chocolaterie Alex Olivier depuis 1927.
https://www.initiatives-chocolats.fr/
K·LINE
Premier fabricant français de menuiseries aluminium, la société vendéenne K·LINE (Groupe LIEBOT) conçoit, fabrique et commercialise des fenêtres coulissantes et portes d’entrée sur mesure, pour tous les types d’architecture, en neuf comme en rénovation.
VINCI-Energies
VINCI Energies accélère la transition environnementale en concrétisant deux mutations majeures, numérique et énergétique. Ses équipes déploient des technologies et des solutions multi techniques sur mesure, de la conception à la réalisation, l’exploitation et la maintenance, en étant au cœur des choix énergétiques de leurs clients, de leurs infrastructures et de leurs process.
