WITH her shoulder length blond hair and toned physique, Sam Davies would not look out of place strolling down a beach with a surfboard tucked under her arm.

But, as they say, looks can be deceiving – Davies is one of the toughest, talented and most respected single-handed sailors to emerge in recent years.

Click to watch an interview with Sam Davies

As her Masters degree in engineering from Cambridge University goes to show, she’s not just a pretty face – and that’s what she will be out to prove as she takes on the biggest challenge of her solo sailing career – the Vendée Globe.

Honing her skills on the French single-handed scene, Davies quickly made a name for herself and was taken under the wing of her continental counterparts, the masters of solo sailing.

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Since then the 34-year-old from Hamble has become known as a sailor to be feared on the racecourse.

For many of the sailors the treacherous Southern Ocean presents the biggest problem – vicious winds and mountainous waves have spelled the end of many a yachtsman’s Vendée campaign.

But so focused is Davies she is more concerned about getting a good start.

“The main thing that worries me is the race start,” she said.

“It will be a really emotional day but it’s crucial to get a good start to the race.

“Although I’ve been into the Southern Ocean before I’ve never been singlehanded so that will be uncharted territory for me.

“I know there will be days when it is scary but that is the challenge.

“If you were worried about that side of the adventure you shouldn’t be doing this sort of race.”

Davies and close friend Dee Caffari are the only two women competing in the 24,000-mile race which sets off on Sunday.

While Caffari has a new state-of-the-art boat, Davies’ Roxy is eight years old but has been skippered to glory twice previously in the Vendée Globe.

Despite her determination and focus not only to take part in the race but to compete, Davies remains remarkably humble.

“I’ve been preparing for this race for two years, the boat is perfect and now I’m ready,” she said.

“It will be a shock when I’m on the start line but everything is going to plan.

“The competition is going to be amazing.

“Thirty world class skippers, 20 with new boats – just being at the start with them is something I never imagined would happen. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”