SAM DAVIES (46), INITIATIVES-COEUR (2010)

Davies returns for her third Vendée start, this time competing against her husband Romain Attanasio. Despite being persistently asked about childcare arrangements for their son, Davies is much more enthusiastic to talk about the technical development work she’s done to her ten-year-old boat, which includes some of the biggest foils in the fleet and an innovative new autopilot system. Initiatives-coeur also benefits from the class’s ‘grandfathering’ rule, which allows Davies greater freedom with rig choices and sail plans. With enormous experience, Davies has clearly taken control of her campaign and is passionate about both the performance modifications and the charity it represents. But above all she will want a competitive result to assuage just missing the podium in 2008 and dismasting in 2012.