More on the impending Sam Davies phenomenon . With Roland ‘Bilou’ Jourdain battling on with his broken keel a buzz has been spreading in the UK about the possibility of Sam getting a podium place.

I’d like that as much as the next person, but it’s not going to happen.

First, she’d have to catch Bilou, who is not intending on stopping and is 1,500 miles ahead of her, as far as he is from the finish line.

Secondly, and just as importantly, she is highly unlikely to beat Marc Guillemot. He was awarded 82 hours redress for standing by Yann Elies in the Southern Ocean, as that’s what the race jury and meteorologists reckon he lost in time and by compromised positioning, while Sam was awarded 11 hours for her diversion towards Elies.

So Sam would have to beat Marc by nearly three days. I just can’t see that happening. I’m afraid she will have to settle for 4th, if that’s the right expression for such a fantastic achievement.