Yachtswoman must play catch-up

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Portsmouth-born Sam Davies, 33, diverted to sail 600 miles towards French sailor Yann Elies who fractured his thigh bone when a large wave hit his yacht in the Vendee Globe race.

She was beaten to the Frenchman's side by an Australian navy ship which was sent to help the stricken sailor, who was 850 nautical miles south of the coast of Western Australia.

Elies was taken from his 60-ft yacht, the Generali, by an inflatable boat to the HMAS Arunta at around 10.50am. He was treated by medics on board the frigate, which then set off to the mainland.

Speaking from her yacht Roxy after Elies was rescued, Davies said she felt "a big relief that he's safe. I have been thinking about nothing but that for the last 48 hours and worrying about Yann. It's just a horrible thought to have to suffer that on your own."

Davies, who was in 10th position when she was asked by race organisers to sail towards Elies, said she went as fast as she could.

She added: "I didn't make it there but the important thing was that he knew that I was coming and also that Marc (Guillemot - another competitor who was closer to Elies and successfully reached the Generali) knew I was coming too and so it's moral support and knowing that you are not alone and that there are other people out there doing everything they can for you."

The Cambridge engineering graduate, who lives in Brittany, she was now keen to get back on track. "I made sure that Roxy was ready to do the about turn and get back into the race so I didn't waste any time because that's what I am here for.

"The fact is I have gone a long way out of the route and Brian Thompson (one position behind Davies) is in strong wind now and he is going considerably faster than me so it's quite possible that I will drop a place. Having said that, Yann is no longer there so we all go up a place. I'm on the chase."

Davies, now in ninth place following the withdrawal of Elies, is currently the leading British competitor as well as being the leading female, although she remains more than a thousand miles behind the leader.