HAMPSHIRE yachtswoman Sam Davies has been getting into the festive spirit despite having to spend Christmas alone in the Southern Ocean.

In between sail changes, navigating and negotiating her yacht Roxy through treacherous seas competing in the Vendée Globe race, the 34-year-old from Hamble, pictured below, has found time to write a letter to Santa outlining things she wants for Christmas.

Her letter reads: “Dear Santa, I have been good this year, and I hope you have time to come and visit Roxy this Christmas in the Southern Ocean.”

Items on her festive wishlist include a Goretex balaclava, a hair dryer, a nail file, fruit – and a new gennaker.

Davies, last night lying in tenth, concludes her letter: “Ps: if you have a tow-rope, I’d love a tow, up to be a bit nearer the leaders too please. Only if Rudolph doesn’t mind the extra weight!”

Meanwhile Mike Golding was headed for Australia after crashing out of the race on Tuesday morning just hours after taking the lead for the first time in the 24,000-mile race.

The 48-year-old from Warsash was one of the race favourites, but hopes of a first British win in the French-dominated event came crashing down when freak winds of more than 60mph battered the yacht shortly before 6.50am.

The 20-tonne strain lines holding up the 27-metre carbon fibre mast were stretched by two feet and the whole mast came crashing down, sealing the end to Golding’s race.

Coming to terms with the devastation, Golding said: “It really hasn’t sunk in yet.

“It seems a bit weird that it was a freak weather event that would make me out of the race particularly just at the point I was leading after weeks and even months of work to get to the leading position.”

It is a massive blow for Golding, Britain’s most experienced singlehanded sailor, who came third in the last edition of the race in 2004.

Ecover’s dismasting had a huge impact on fellow Hampshire racer Dee Caffari, who’s yacht Aviva is Ecover’s sister ship.

Caffari, yesterday in 12th position said: “I’m really upset. It has shocked me loads and I’m now quite nervous because we have the same rig.”

Lymington’s Brian Thompson, in 11th, added: “Very sad to see that my mate Mike Golding lost his mast, he was sailing brilliantly.”

Jonny Malbon, from Southampton, was last night in 15th.