Maritime & Marine

Pip Hare with her IMOCA 60 named Medallia. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: July 24, 2022 | Updated: 24th July 2022
By her own admission solo yachtswoman Pip Hare has always been on the move.
Not least sailing single-handed non-stop around the world.
But now she feels she’s found home – and it’s Poole.
Pip, whose courage, bravery and skill captured a global audience in the 2020/21 Vendée Globe, was speaking at ‘An Afternoon with Pip Hare’.
The event, at Poole Quay Boat Haven, was an opportunity for sponsors and supporters to be updated on her latest news, including plans for the next Vendée Globe in 2024.
They also had the chance to step onboard her IMOCA 60 boat, named Medallia, which is berthed at Poole Quay Boat Haven.
Picture: Richard Langdon.
Pip, 48, successfully completed the 24,296 mile 2020/21 Vendée Globe after 95 days, 11 hours and 30 seconds of racing.
She was only the eighth woman to ever complete the gruelling race.
Pip, who first moved to Poole in 2012 to take up a job at the RNLI, said: “I’ve always been transient but I found home when I moved here.
“I don’t like to be anywhere else.
“It’s a great place to live.
“The fact that so many people on the Quay stop, they want to see the boat, they ask questions, all of that just helps the sport.
“I know some people come specifically to see the boat.
“That’s really cool.”
The start date for the 2024 Vendée Globe is November 10, 2024 – just 842 days away.
The maximum number of racers is set at 40.
Pip said: “We have a mountain to climb but we always do.
“We’ve got a programme to put bigger foils on the boat, there’s still qualification to do, a lot of training and time just ticks on really quickly.
“I always feel the pressure of time but we’re in a much different situation from before so we feel strong.”
Addressing supporters and sponsors, Pip paid tribute to her team and all those who were backing her.
She said: “We’ve done this a couple of times now and the more we do it the more I feel really proud about the fact that we’re managing to build a community around this racing project.
“As a solo sailor, people always look at me and think it’s about me but actually this is a team sport.
Members of the Pip Hare Ocean Racing team (left to right) Mel Cooke, Hayley Clark, Joff Brown, Lou Adams, Pip Hare, Olly Young, Isla Reynolds and Ollie Bond. Picture: Richard Crease/Poole Harbour Commissioners.
“I’m hugely supported by my ever-growing team on the shore.
“However, our team stretches much further because all of you here are members of our team and we feel we’re members of your community.
“I’m just really proud, and really happy, to be able to say that.”
Opportunities are available to sponsor Pip, including becoming a member of a business syndicate by paying a monthly fee.
Benefits include exclusive networking events, access to IMOCA 60 on business syndicate days and unique content and newsletters.
Pip said: “We would love to get support and engage with local businesses and there are still options there.
“At the moment I know times are really hard for a lot of people.
“For us, one of the important things is that by being here we can help.
“Being part of a vibrant community boosts everything.
“It’s more a mutual thing really.”