Born on 23 August 1974 in Portsmouth, England, into a family of sailors – her grandfather was a submarine commander – Samantha Davies learned to walk on her parents' boat. An engineering graduate from Cambridge University, she turned to ocean racing at the age of 24 with her first crewed round-the-world race in the Jules Verne Trophy (1998). She then chose to settle in France to pursue her passion and trained in Mini 6.50 and then on the Figaro circuit.Born on 23 August 1974 in Portsmouth, England, into a family of sailors – her grandfather was a submarine commander – Samantha Davies learned to walk on her parents' boat. An engineering graduate from Cambridge University, she turned to ocean racing at the age of 24 with her first crewed round-the-world race in the Jules Verne Trophy (1998). She then chose to settle in France to pursue her passion and trained in Mini 6.50 and then on the Figaro circuit.
She came to the attention of the general public during the 2008 Vendée Globe, where she finished 4th on the IMOCA Roxy. Her experience and energy earned her a place as skipper of Team SCA in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, a round-the-world race with an all-female crew. After two Transat Jacques Vabre races alongside Tanguy de Lamotte, Sam took the helm of the IMOCA Initiatives-Cœur in 2018, a unique project combining sporting performance and solidarity. The boat supports the charity Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, which enables children with heart defects to undergo surgery in France. Sam is involved in the technical development of the red IMOCA and has clear ambitions: to perform well in major races while giving her adventure a charitable dimension.
On 8 November 2020, she set sail on her third Vendée Globe. After suffering serious damage off the Cape, she was forced to abandon the race, but chose to complete her round-the-world voyage outside of the competition. Upon her arrival on 28 February 2021, this challenge allowed her to add another heroic chapter to her story: 102 children were saved thanks to donations generated throughout her journey.On 8 November 2020, she set sail on her third Vendée Globe. After suffering serious damage off the Cape, she was forced to abandon the race, but chose to complete her round-the-world voyage outside of the competition. Upon her arrival on 28 February 2021, this challenge allowed her to add another heroic chapter to her story: 102 children were saved thanks to donations generated throughout her journey.
In 2021, she finished 5th in the Transat Jacques Vabre with Nicolas Lunven. Her sponsors Les Chocolats du Cœur, VINCI Energies and K•LINE decided to have a new IMOCA built for Sam, which was launched in July 2022.
Sam then took part in the 2022 Route du Rhum (28th in IMOCA), then in 2023 in The Ocean Race as part of the Biotherm crew with Paul Meilhat on leg 3, between Cape Town and Itajaí. Returning to her project, she took Damien Seguin on board for the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race, before embarking on preparations for the 2024 Vendée Globe.
In 2024, Sam successfully completed her fourth round-the-world race in 13th place. Beyond her sporting performance, this Vendée Globe enabled 106 children to undergo heart surgery, thanks to donations collected during the race and the support of her sponsors and patrons.In 2024, Sam successfully completed her fourth round-the-world race in 13th place. Beyond her sporting performance, this Vendée Globe enabled 106 children to undergo heart surgery, thanks to donations collected during the race and the support of her sponsors and patrons.
Looking to the future, Sam has chosen to share the helm of her red IMOCA with Violette Dorange, a rising star in sailing, for the 2025 season. Together, they have already competed in the Race of the Capes and the Rolex Fastnet Race, forming a promising and close-knit duo. True to her motto, ‘sailing with purpose’, Samantha continues to transform every mile sailed into a sporting and human victory.
2025: Rolex Fastnet Race – 4th
2024–2025: Vendée Globe – 13th
2024: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération – 5th
2023: Transat Jacques Vabre - 5ème
Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 5ème
Rolex Fastnet Race - 5ème
Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 4th
2022: Route du Rhum - 28th
Défi Azimut - 7th
2021 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 5th
Défi Azimut - Lorient Agglomération - 6th
2020-21 : Vendée Globe - Finishes out of the race
2020 : Défi Azimut - 2nd
Vendée-Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne - 4th
2019 : Défi Azimut - 7th
Rolex Fastnet Race - 5th
2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - Retired
2017 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 6th with Initiatives Coeur/Tanguy de Lamotte
2015 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 5th with Initiatives Coeur/Tanguy de Lamotte
2014-15 : Team SCA skipper - Volvo Ocean Race
2011-12 : Vendée Globe - Retired on dismasting.
2011 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 10th with Sidney Gavignet
2010 : Transat Ag2r - 4th with Romain Attanasio
2008-09 : Vendée Globe - 4th on board ROXY