Pip Hare, the British skipper of the yacht Medallia, faced one of the most challenging moments of her sailing career on December 15, 2024, when her mast dismasted at approximately 800 nautical miles south of Australia during the Vendée Globe race. The incident, occurring around 21:45 UTC, ended her quest to become the first woman to complete the grueling 24,300-mile round-the-world race for the second time.
After the dismasting, Hare, who had been racing well and had secured the 15th position, described the event as "really devastating." She reported being physically unharmed but emotionally affected, expressing, "It all feels pretty raw right now. I am so devastated." This misfortune came after her enthusiastic video message just the night before, where she cheerfully remarked, "It is so beautiful here," wearing her trademark woolly hat.
The circumstances around the dismasting revealed the harsh realities of ocean racing. According to Hare, her yacht "just took off, landed and when it landed the mast came down in two pieces." Despite this setback, she managed to establish a jury rig, allowing her to maintain her course toward safety, approximately 700 nautical miles from land.
Event organizers assured the public about Hare’s condition, stating, "She is uninjured but her indefatigable spirit has taken a big hit." Indeed, Hare had been positioned about 100 nautical miles behind her competitor, Romain Attanasio of the Fortinet Best Western team, at the time of the incident. She was not alone in her struggles; several other competitors were also reporting difficulties.
Out on the water, numerous sailors faced various rigging and equipment failures. Szabolcs Weöres from Hungary, who was trailing the fleet, also encountered issues leading him toward Cape Town. Meanwhile, Antoine Cornic had to drop anchor to address damage to his mainsail traveler amid rough conditions.
The leading competitors continued their race under favorable winds. Charlie Dalin had surged to the front, leading by 44 miles, closely followed by Yoann Richomme, who was only 40 miles behind. These leaders, deftly managing their vessels, remained unaffected by the turmoil impacting other crews.
Speaking from Medallia, Hare confirmed the condition of her yacht, saying, "I’m absolutely fine, physically fine and the boat's pretty unscathed as well." She also reflected on the nature of ocean racing, noting, "But a race of this nature that's three months long, taking you to some of the world's most extreme environments, these things happen and unfortunately, it's happened to me this time."
Hare's emotional state was understandably low, as she had invested four years of preparation and planning for this race—a significant undertaking for any sailor. "This is four years of preparation and planning and four years of development, the boat and I were in really great shape, having a really good race and we were about halfway round the world. So, to dismast now is really brutal," she said.
The 2024 Vendée Globe has garnered attention not only for Hare's unfortunate dismasting but also for the overall low rate of attrition among competitors at this stage of the event. Until now, only one other sailor had reported retirement due to rigging failures. A reflection of the harsh conditions faced at sea was evident, as the fleet contended with increasingly unstable wind and significant squall activity.
Despite the abrupt end to her current race, Hare remained hopeful and expressed her passion for sailing and competing. "I hope by the time I get to the shore we’ll have a really good plan about how to get Medallia sailing again and get back to Europe and then get back on the race track in 2025." Her determined spirit is evident as she continues to sail toward safety, impressing followers and fellow competitors alike.
She wrapped up her sentiments with gratitude for her support team saying, "I just want to say a massive thank you to all my sponsors and supporters and my team for the hard work they’ve put in over the last four years to get us to the start line of this race." Her reflections epitomized the resilience and dedication required by those who participate in the Vendée Globe, showcasing the highs and lows of competitive sailing.
Looking forward, Pip Hare’s future plans are not just focused on recovery but also on continuing her passion for racing. "For me, this is my version of a World Cup or the Olympics," she once noted before the race commenced, highlighting just how much the Vendée Globe means to her. With aspirations to return stronger than ever, her spirit remains unbroken, illustrating the true nature of endurance racing.
