Sailing Around the World - Pip Hare

 Photo Credit: Richard Langdon

In 2021 Pip Hare became the 8th woman to ever finish the Vendée Globe, and emerged as "the skipper who smashed expectations and pushed her old boat to a performance few thought possible".

Pip has been a professional sailor since she was 18, as well as a journalist, author and a compelling speaker on topics such as overcoming challenges to achieve, authenticity, risk management, gender equality. The whole Expedition Foods team are extremely proud to be connected to this incredible sailor, and loved having their questions answered. 

Expedition Foods (EF): How did you get into sailing?

Pip Hare (PH): I sailed when I was a kid on my grandfather's 24ft wooden boat on the river Deben in East Anglia. But I really found my passion for sailing when I went on a young person sailing holiday at the age of 15. The course was run by young people for young people and we had such a lot of freedom, it really inspired me.

(EF) What is your most memorable sailing moment(s)?

(PH) I have spent many great moments on the ocean, it is hard to rank them but among the top few would be rounding Cape Horn during the 2020 Vendée Globe race, actually seeing the Cape and speaking to the light housekeeper. I’d had a really hard week getting there, having broken my rudder and replaced it in the Southern Ocean. To see the Cape was incredible and I spoke to the lighthouse keeper’s wife in English, they were so pleased to speak to me and so kind. It was the first time I had seen land in about 9 weeks.

(EF) Do you have any other interests in the outdoors?

(PH) I love the outdoors and have a passion for most outdoor sports and activities, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, wing foiling, sea swimming. I am fascinated with the mountains, and I recently went backcountry splitboarding. I just love being outside and using my body to get around.

 Photo Credit: Richard Langdon

(EF) How is your 2023 sailing line-up looking?

(PH) We are just in the process of installing big foils on my 60ft IMOCA yacht and so most of 2023 is going to be given over to testing and learning with them. I will be doing that from my home base in Poole, Dorset.

Then at the end of the year I will be racing in the Transat Jacques Vabres – double handed from le Havre, France to Martinique, Caribbean and then racing back almost straight away single handed from Martinique to Lorient.

(EF) How do you manage to sleep and eat when you're taking part in an around the world race?

(PH) There is a constant need to do both of these things and you need to make time. It’s hard. I sleep for around 30 minutes at a time and then wake up to monitor the boat. I am always looking for opportunities when the boat is stable and going well to take a nap. I will try to get a minimum of 4 hours a day. Eating is the same, I have a day bag of food which contains the number of calories I must eat in the day, and I have to find time to do that. I always make my food in a flask. That way if I have to manage the boat it will stay hot and I can eat it later.

(EF) What do you typically eat when offshore racing?

(PH) Freeze dried meals including Expedition Foods, dried fruit, nuts, fresh fruit while it lasts and cold press fruit and nut snack bars and vitamin pills!

(EF) What is your favourite Expedition Foods meal?

(PH) Fish and Potato in Parsley Sauce – I have this about every three days!

(EF) If you could invent your own Expedition Foods meal, what would it be?

(PH) Well, it is tough because I am a pescatarian and I try to avoid gluten when I am offshore, I think I would go for mac and cheese with gluten free pasta though, it’s a great comfort food. I just wish I could eat lots of it.

  Photo Credit: Mark Lloyd

(EF) What is your next sailing goal?

(PH) The Vendée Globe race in 2024

(EF) Do you have any advice for others wishing to sail in offshore races?

(PH) There is no substitute for time on the water and to build experience you don’t have to be in a race boat. Look for any opportunity you can, delivering boats back after events, helping people move cruising boats, any job on a racing boat. This will all build your skill and knowledge and help you develop your career.

To find out more about Pip, check out her website. 

Featured Image Photo Credit: Richard Langdon

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