Rolex Fastnet Race 2023 - Pip Hare Interview
by Bow Caddy Media 29 Jul 2023 15:14 PDT
22 July 2023
Pip Hare at the Fastnet Press Conference © Bow Caddy Media
British sailor Pip Hare has long been an inspiration to the Bow Caddy team, so it was a real pleasure to meet her briefly in Cowes, just before she set off with Mini sailor NIck Bubb on the Fastnet Race in her recently modified IMOCA 60, Medallia.
For those reading this - men and women - who are not familiar with Pip Hare, her sailing portfolio is a testament to hard work, determination and sheer tenacity, often in the face of great odds.
As a professional sailor from the age of 18 Pip Hare has covered numerous bases in building her experience and credibility in the offshore short-handed scene; as a coach, as a journalist (she writes regularly for Yachting World on shorthanded sailing) and in the 1000s of sea miles she has covered in some of the most competitive shorthanded ocean races in the world; the peak of which to this point was in completing the 2020/21 Vendée Globe (one of only eight women ever to do so), sailing a non-foiling boat against the world’s best and finishing 19th.
When her sponsors Medallia decided to go one better and up the funding for her to compete in the 2024 Vendee Globe she was able to purchase the foiling Imoca 60 Bureau Valle, which took third place in the 2021 race. There was a huge outpouring of support for Pip when this news broke on social media, as she is universally admired for her quiet determination and engaging pragmatism.
Having now modified the bow of her new Medallia and fitted new foils (which will allow her to be more competitive with the 15 or so brand new Imocas expected to take part the 2024 Vendee Globe), Pip has just completed the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race.
In a pre-race press conference for the Fastnet Race it became clear why Pip Hare is seen as a role model for women and young people on the professional sailing scene. This short clip that we recorded at that session speaks for itself.