Max warp pace for days on finish! Pip Hare shall be becoming a member of Canada Ocean Racing for The Ocean Race Europe – she explains what she’s trying ahead to this summer season
British IMOCA skipper Pip Hare has introduced that she’ll be racing alongside Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer on Shawyer’s Be Water Optimistic marketing campaign for the 2025 version of The Ocean Race Europe.
Pip shall be onboard as a part of the four-person crew for each stage of The Ocean Race Europe, which is a crewed multi-stage race that begins on 10 August 2025.
Shawyer’s crew is shortly about to take possession of their new foiling IMOCA yacht (particulars to be introduced quickly) on the following stage of his working in direction of the 2028 Vendée Globe.
“It’s a pleasant improvement,” she advised Yachting World. “I’ve been talking with Scott ever since he began his marketing campaign. I bear in mind what it was like coming into the category and form of feeling a bit remoted – so I at all times attempt to examine in with him, see how he’s doing, see if there’s something I may help him with.
Hare and Shawyer within the foiling ‘Canada Ocean Racing’ IMOCA – particulars to be unveiled quickly.
“Then after my dismasting (within the 2024 Vendée Globe) we began speaking about what a collaboration would possibly appear to be, whether or not I may help him with stepping up right into a foiling boat.”
Hare’s personal IMOCA is at present being shipped again to Europe after dismasting within the 2024 Vendée Globe. She is at present searching for a brand new title sponsor for her personal Vendée Globe 2028 marketing campaign.
“It’s one of many actually optimistic issues about having the ability to collaborate inside the class.
“We’re all on the market on our personal with our personal initiatives and really a lot in competitors, notably in the meanwhile. Looking for sponsorship may be very exhausting for everybody. So all pulling collectively to take care of our data, to maintain driving efficiency whereas nonetheless attempting to search for our personal initiatives goes to be a very necessary factor for fairly plenty of sailors.
“I’m going to be form of driving the crusing programme over the following two months. I’m actually trying ahead to the chance of crusing with another IMOCA sailors and studying from them about how you can handle the boat totally crewed – this concept of having the ability to sail a foiling IMOCA at max warp for days on finish, the facility of collective minds and power. That’s actually thrilling to me.
“I’m simply actually happy that Scott and I’ve been in a position to work one thing out. And it’s going to be thrilling to see one other non-French crew making an impression.”
“I believe we’re going to have a variety of enjoyable over the summer season.”
The course for The Ocean Race Europe – Leg 2 shall be a monster!
Ocean Race Europe course
Nevertheless, she factors out that the course for the Ocean Race Europe goes to be robust.
The race begins from Kiel in Germany, with stage finishes in Portsmouth, UK, then a ‘flyby’ at Matosinhos in Portugal earlier than ending the lengthy Leg 2 in Catagena, Spain. Leg three takes the fleet onto Good, then they race to Genova, earlier than hooking round Italy to complete in Montenegro.
“Having taken half within the Ocean Race Europe in 2021, I do know in regards to the challenges of the Mediterranean – notably the huge frustrations as properly of wind shadows and parking up.
“Leg two goes to be huge after which the leg from Genoa to Montenegro is an entire unknown for me, that’s an space within the Med that I haven’t been to earlier than.
“It’s going to be an intense race – the stopovers aren’t very lengthy.”
Scott Shawyer shortly after saying his IMOCA marketing campaign ‘ Canada Ocean Racing’. Pictured right here coaching on the crew’s first run offshore along with his authentic boat and mentor Alex Thomson. (Photograph by Lloyd Photos)
Shawyer, a profitable businessman and lifelong newbie sailor, introduced his Vendée Globe ambitions in 2022. He has since labored with Vendée veterans Alex Thomson and Nick Moloney as he builds expertise and preparedness for the 2028 race.
“Pip is a ruthless competitor with an enormous coronary heart,” he stated. “She brings a uncommon mixture of tenacity, expertise, and humanity to the crew. Her capability to dig deep and lead via motion shall be an enormous asset to us.”
