Pip Hare: Resilience amidst heartbreak
In a devastating turn of events, British skipper Pip Hare suffered a dismasting last night while sailing Medallia 800 miles south of Australia. The incident occurred around 2145hrs UTC, abruptly ending her fierce battle for 15th place with French sailor Romain Attanasio ( Fortinet Best Western ).
Hare, known for her resilience and positivity, has already rigged a jury mast and is making slow but steady progress. “It is the cruellest blow,” said a source close to her team. Just the night before, Hare had shared a cheerful video, marvelling at the beauty of her surroundings beneath her signature woolly hat.
The cause of the dismasting remains unclear, but updates are expected soon. Despite her disappointment, Hare’s spirit and determination remain unbroken, as she works tirelessly to keep her campaign alive.
Troubles across the fleet
Hare isn’t the only sailor grappling with setbacks. Hungarian competitor Szabolcs Weöres ( New Europe ) is en route to South Africa after experiencing rigging issues. Meanwhile, Antoine Cornic ( Human Immobilier ), positioned downwind of Saint-Paul Island, anchored early this morning to repair his mainsail traveller amid rough seas.
These incidents highlight the relentless challenges of the Vendée Globe, where every sailor must navigate not just the seas but the unpredictable twists of fate.
[audio mp3="https://boatingnz.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/vg2024-2412160542-december-16-radio-session-wit-mp3-eng-v.mp3"][/audio]
December 16 Radio Session with Justine Mettraux
Leaders maintain momentum
At the front of the pack, the race is intensifying. Charlie Dalin ( MACIF Santé Prévoyance ) crossed the anti-meridian in first place, marking another milestone in his campaign. However, French skipper Yoann Richomme ( PAPREC – ARKÉA ) is closing the gap rapidly, trailing by just 40 miles. Sailing at speeds over a knot faster than Dalin, Richomme is keeping the pressure on.
Behind them, Thomas Ruyant ( VULNERABLE ) has surged forward after shaking off light wind delays, reaching impressive speeds of nearly 25 knots.
Middle fleet battles
Further back, the competition remains fierce. Switzerland’s Justine Mettraux ( TeamWork-Team Snef ) is pursuing Germany’s Boris Herrmann ( Malizia Seaexplorer ), who is among the fastest in the fleet, also clocking speeds of 25 knots.
Mettraux shared insights on her journey:
“Life has been about reaching and reducing sail area… It has been quite straight-line sailing, but the coming days will be challenging with strong gales from the north.”
With Point Nemo drawing closer, the middle fleet is preparing for significant weather transitions in the days ahead.
Seguin’s reflective recovery
Damien Seguin ( Groupe APICIL , 17th) has been recovering from an arduous phase in the race. High winds and five-metre waves tested both sailor and boat, but conditions are beginning to ease.
Seguin has already tackled repairs to prevent further water ingress and is awaiting calmer weather to finish his work. Reflecting on the ordeal, he noted:
“The boat has a few bruises, me too, but it could have been much worse. I’m still racing, and that’s the most important thing.”
For Seguin, resilience and confidence are key:
“You have to have confidence in your boat, confidence in what you're doing, and know how to keep your head down without risking the equipment too much.”
Looking ahead
As the skippers approach Point Nemo, the next few days promise challenging northern gales followed by a transition to calmer downwind sailing. The Vendée Globe remains as thrilling and unpredictable as ever, testing the limits of every sailor’s endurance and skill.
This race is far from over, and as the leaders push harder and the middle fleet regroups, every mile matters in this epic journey.
