SAM Davies has already proved her commitment to sailing.

In her gap year she worked for yacht designer Rob Humphreys.

During her time at Cambridge University, where she gained a Masters degree in Engineering, she also took up rowing.

Sam was appointed Boat Club captain of Lady Margaret Boat Club and trained with the Cambridge Lightweight Women.

The day after her last Cambridge exam she joined Tracy Edwards' Royal and SunAlliance maxicat on a transatlantic record attempt followed by the Jules Verne Trophy.

Four years ago she worked as shore crew for Ellen MacArthur and sailed in Shirley Robertson's Match Racing team. They were ranked number one in the World Rankings for 1999- 2001.

Sam was the first girl to reach Brazil and third non French skipper overall.

She teamed up with Robertson and Inga Leask in a Yngling aiming for Olympic Gold at Athens next year.

But that was not for her and she joined Edwards' reformed team on Maiden 2, the maxicat with the ultimate goal of smashing the non-stop round the world Jules Verne record.

In January of this year Offshore Challenges took her on as one of their sailors, facilitating her with a Figaro boat.

Now, with 35,000 nautical miles under her belt, Sam is embarking on the 2003 Figaro Class circuit.