British sailor, Sam Davies, has emerged as an early contender for the 2009 BBC TV Sports Personality of the Year Award say bookmakers William Hill who are quoting her as a 33/1 chance to lift the Award - won recently for 2008 by Olympic cyclist, Chris Hoy.

Sam, currently competing in the Vendee Globe Round The World single-handed Yacht Race, broke off to sail several hundred miles in an attempt to rescue an injured fellow-competitor. When she arrived, she discovered that the Australian Navy had the situation under control, so she turned back and eventually rejoined the race, in which she currently occupies eighth place.

'This was an extraordinary act of sportsmanship which is unlikely to be equalled, let alone exceeded, during 2009. We have had several punters wishing to back Sam for the Sports Personality Award, so introduced her into the betting at 33/1 - should she go on to win or be placed in the Race itself those odds might shorten drastically' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Hills currently make Lewis Hamilton 5/2 favourite to win the 2009 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award (4/1 to be runner-up again) and also offer 7/2 Andy Murray; 8/1 David Haye; 10/1 Freddie Flintoff; Kevin Pietersen; 12/1 Ricky Hatton.