Last month, organisers of the Vendee Globe came to London to try and give support to British sailors aiming to raise sponsorship for the race. One skipper who wasn’t there, was Samantha Davies – who has adopted a more French approach to her campaign that seems to be paying dividends.
The Vendee Globe is a race that smaller regional companies have used with success to promote themselves and receive good marketing returns. Sam Davies’ new lead sponsor Savéol is in that tradition, stepping up to back Sam’s bid for a podium finish in the round-the-world race.
Following a hugely successful race last time with Roxy, Sam has built a consortium of sponsors for the next edition of the race.
Savéol is a Brittany-based firm that is France’s biggest tomato producer with international ambitions, and the company has had a relationship with Sam for a few years. The company, which employs around 2000 people was impressed by Sam at their general meeting in 2009. Sam sailed with sponsorship from the firm during the recent Ag2r transatlantic race, alongside her partner Romain Attanasio, an experienced Figaro sailor.
Around Savéol, Sam’s Vendée Globe plans have become a multi-partnership enterprise with a group of companies lining up to join her adventure. Following the 2008 Vendée, Sam and her project manager Xavier David set up their offshore racing team “My Samantha Company”, aimed at attracting dynamic businesses around a major sports sponsorship programme.
To date, the team’s sponsors include official partners Mât de Misaine (sportswear) and Ridorev (mobile homes); a partners club including pioneering companies with the Oséo Excellence label and SMEs from the Saint-Gilles Croix de Vie area – a strong base of support for Sam – and also technical partners whose expertise will be crucial for optimizing the boat.
Sam and her team have opted for the former Véolia as the boat of choice. It’s the same 60 footer that Roland Jourdain sailed to victory in the 2006 Route du Rhum and in which he entered the 2008 Vendée Globe, eventually being forced to abandon his challenge when lying in second place. In the same monohull, the pairing of Boris Herman and Ryan Breymaier took 5th spot in the 2010 Barcelona World Race. Reliable and fast, the boat has already competed with the Jourdain teams.
Sam said:
“I’m so happy… I have been waiting 3 years for this day ! I found a fantastic sponsor and also a whole family of co-sponsors to support my project. I can’t wait to get back out on the water and share this adventure with everyone. I’ll do everything I can to make my sponsors proud of me.”
Philippe Daré, Président de Savéol said:
“Savéol and Sam have a lot in common : dynamism and a strong taste for the adventure. Sam is the best ambassador to carry Savéol’s colours, values and variety of products.”
