Recently, she was awarded the prestigious Ocean Cruising Club 2024 Seamanship Award – an accolade recognising exceptional skill and bravery at sea.
We followed Pip’s extraordinary journey aboard her foiling IMOCA 60, SV Medallia, which faced a dramatic dismasting incident during the race, and were blown away by her perseverance and leadership. Not only for us here at Boating New Zealand. Her grit and determination have resonated far beyond the high seas.
The challenge of the Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is often described as the “Everest of the Seas.” It is a race where each sailor faces isolation, unpredictable weather, and the constant threat of the elements. For Pip Hare, this challenge was both a test of technical skill and a battle of inner fortitude. Navigating the vast and merciless ocean alone requires not only mastery over one’s vessel but also the ability to remain composed in moments of crisis. Throughout the race, every decision—from tactical manoeuvres to emergency responses—depended solely on her experience and intuition.
A dramatic twist: The dismasting of SV Medallia
Midway through the Vendée Globe, Pip encountered one of the most daunting challenges any sailor can face—a dismasting. Her foiling IMOCA 60, SV Medallia, suffered this dramatic setback amid extreme weather conditions. The incident not only threatened her race but also placed her in a life-threatening situation on the open ocean.
Despite the initial shock and the looming danger, Pip’s response was nothing short of heroic. With calm determination, she implemented her emergency protocols, relying on years of experience and a profound understanding of her boat’s capabilities.
Using only materials on board, Hare constructed a jury rig and navigated to Melbourne over 13 days. Hare’s actions preserved the hull’s integrity and saved the boom, furlers, and one outrigger. More importantly her actions meant that no-one else had to put themselves in danger to take her off her boat.
The Ocean Cruising Club 2024 Seamanship Award
In recognition of her extraordinary handling of the dismasting incident and her overall performance in the Vendée Globe, Pip Hare was honoured with the Ocean Cruising Club 2024 Seamanship Award. This prestigious accolade is reserved for those who exhibit exceptional bravery and technical acumen at sea. It is not given lightly, and receiving it places Pip among the elite in the world of ocean racing.
The award celebrates not just a single act of courage but a sustained demonstration of seamanship throughout one of the most challenging races in the world. Pip’s actions during the dismasting incident encapsulated the qualities that the award seeks to honour—calm under pressure, and an unwavering commitment to safety. The recognition has cemented her reputation as one of the finest sailors of her generation.
Inspiring a new generation of sailors
Pip Hare’s achievements have struck a chord far beyond the realm of professional racing. She has contributed to a growing narrative of modern seamanship. Her journey, marked by both technical brilliance and unwavering resolve, serves as a source of inspiration for many—especially for aspiring female sailors. In a sport that has traditionally been dominated by men, Pip’s success is a clarion call for diversity and inclusion.
Her determination in the face of one of the ocean’s most perilous challenges illustrates that skill and courage know no gender. By forging ahead in the Vendée Globe and overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds, she has opened doors for a new generation of sailors who dare to dream big. Her story is a reminder that the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of excellence are accessible to all, regardless of background.
