Pip blasts off in race around Iceland

An average speed overnight of around 20 knots was enough to leave Britain’s Pip Hare in 19th place as the sun rose on the first morning of Vendée-Arctique Race, as we went to press.

The IMOCA fleet was sailing at a furious pace towards Iceland in the second edition of this 3,500-mile race, a qualifier for the Vendée-Globe 2024.

The first finishers are expected back in Les Sables d’Olonne around 25 June.

“Yes, yes, yes – we’re back!” were the jubilant words of Hare on her boat Medallia as she crossed the start shortly after 5pm on 12 June. “The race start was awesome, it’s just so good to be out here. I can’t wait to be out here for the next two weeks.

“Of course I want to do well – I’ll always be a competitor at heart – but success for us as a team is about what we’ve learned from the last race. It’s a long way to the next Vendée Globe in 2024, so I’m looking for consistent improvement over that time.

“The build up to this race has been really good – the team is working very well together and that’s given me confidence. And the longer course of the Vendée-Arctique also lends itself to my style of sailing – I’m an endurance athlete rather than a sprinter, so an event that calls for resilience and stamina is much more my cup of tea.”

As if to back up her words, Hare revealed she had completed an ultramarathon through hilly Dorset shortly before leaving the UK.

“The best average speed over 15 minutes last night was 29.4 knots,” reported Yann Chateau, assistant race director, on the first morning.

“The boat was going very hard last night,” said Swiss skipper Alan Roura on Hublot. “It’s a bit di cult to find a rhythm. I snacked on carrots because heating water is complicated. On the sleep side, I just managed to grab 20 minutes.”

Leading the pack on day 2 were the favourites Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut), Louis Burton (Bureau Vallée), Jérémie Beyou (Charal) and Charlie Dalin (Apivia), sailing at close to 30 knots at times.

Follow race progress on our website and we review the race in full in our next issue.