Three blondes in a boat ‘my new heroes’

2:49pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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HAMPSHIRE round-the- world sailor Sam Davies has hailed Great Britain's medal-winning "three blondes in a boat" as her new heroes.

Davies said the trio of Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Lymington's Pippa Wilson, who stormed to gold glory in the Yngling class Qingdao, China, were the "perfect inspiration" for her as she prepares for the gruelling 24,000-mile Vendée Globe race.

Amazing' The Olympians dominated the racing during the week, and romped home in first place to win the medal race and secure gold.

Speaking from France, where Davies is currently in training, she said: "Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson are my new heroes.

"Their achievement - winning Olympic gold in the Yngling class - is absolutely amazing.

"I know how hard the competition is on the Yngling circuit as I spent a few months in this class.

"These girls are some of the best sailing technicians and tacticians in the world.

"These girls are the perfect inspiration for me as I get closer to the Vendée Globe.

"The proof that hard work, determination and a solid team really does pay off.

"I'm thinking it may be worth sticking a photo of them at my chart table to remind me of that during the tough three months of the Vendée."

The Vendée Globe race is the most daring, most challenging and most respected yacht race in the world.

Only the toughest and most skilled sailors enter - and at the forefront are a host of yachtsmen and women flying the flag for Hampshire.

On November 9, Davies will join Mike Golding, Dee Caffari, Alex Thomson, Brian Thompson and Jonny Malbon along with 14 other world-class racers in Les Sables d'Olonne in France for the start of the most epic race of their careers.

The sailors will head towards the three great capes, marking the southern tips of the African continent, Australia and America in the 24,000-mile slog.