British sailor Hare eyes top-10 Vendee Globe finish
Pip Hare is the eighth women to finish the Vendee Globe in its history
- Published
Dorset-based sailor Pip Hare says she now knows what it takes and how to prepare herself mentally for the fast-approaching Vendee Globe.
The 50-year-old is aiming to become the first woman on the planet to complete the iconic race twice, and is now confident that she can secure a finish in the top 10 after her debut in 2020.
Founded in 1989, the Vendee Globe is a single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted round-the-world sailing race that takes place every four years.
"When I started the last race I just had no idea what it was going to be like." Hare told BBC South Today.
"To be alone for three months, to push a boat hard all around the world, I know that now and the things I might encounter.
"But at the same time I also know that when you’re dealing with mother nature you can’t be complacent, I don’t want to think I know it all and I’m ready for new challenges, I believe we can be in the top 10."
In February 2021 Poole based sailor Pip Hare crossed the finish line of the Vendee Globe.
The skippers will set off from Les Sables-d'Olonne on the west coast of France on Sunday, 10 November before sailing roughly 45,000 kilometres around the globe.
In 2020/21, Hare finished 19th becoming the eighth woman in the world to ever complete the Vendee Globe.
This year, in a new boat named Medallia, she feels she has a better chance of breaking into the top 10 with some significant improvements and investment.
"The difference in the boat is night and day compared to last time," Hare, from Poole, added.
"We have done some big upgrades, adding foils to bring it in line with a brand new boats’ performance.
"My top speed in this boat is nearly 38 knots, in my last one it was 27 knots so that is a big difference, we’ve done so much work preparing this boat, I have so much confidence in what we’ve done."
If Hare completes this year's Vendee Globe she would become the first ever female on the planet to do it twice
Four years ago, Hare had to single-handedly complete some emergency repairs to her boat throughout the three-month challenge.
Tasks such as having to repair a broken rudder and climbing up her boat's mast to replace wind sensors were all done in extreme conditions.
Prior to her debut, Hare said that her goal was just to become one of the few that have been able to finish the course.
For her second voyage, Hare has prepared herself both physically and mentally for what is to come and wants to finish higher up the leaderboard.
"One of the things I love about being a human being is that we always have the potential to develop and grow," she said.
"I’m physically older now but I’ve adapted my training regime to take on the challenges of the boat but I’ve also grown mentally.
"I understand the mental challenges that will come with it and needing to push myself forward, I’ll come back from this different again I just know it!”
This year's route for the competition will round the three legendary capes - Good Hope, Leeuwin and finally Cape Horn - before the sailors return to Les Sables d'Olonne.