The Mini-Transat, as this race is more popularly known, saw Artemis Offshore Academy Associate member and first-time Mini-Transat sailor Pip Hare arrive into the Brazilian port of Bahia having achieved her goal of finishing in the top 15 for leg two. She finished leg two after 21 days, 10 hours, 22 minutes, and 13 seconds in a well earned 15th place. The race included a record number of six female skippers amongst the 79 competitors with Pip being the first female sailor to finish the race in the 45-boat Series fleet. The 4,200nm ‘Everest’ event for the Mini Class, was split into two legs, leg one from La Rochelle to Funchal Madeira (1,100nm), and leg two onward to Bahia, Brazil (3,100nm).
“I am absolutely thrilled,” explained Pip. “I learned a huge amount on this leg and at the end I was fighting closely with some guys who have been training in these boats for four years, so I am very proud to have been able to compete with them.”Pip finished with an overall position of 17th place (Series results) with a cumulative time of 31 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes and 7 seconds for the two legs.
“Unbelievable! The atmosphere was amazing, the sail in was so tough and stressful with Ysbrand and Hugo hot on my heels. I arrived to music, a huge crowd cheering, fireworks, and one hundred arms all hugging me! I could not stop smiling, it is one of the best moments of my life to date.”This year the competitors experienced uncharacteristically difficult weather systems which tested them to the limit: “The long trade wind sailing that we all looked forward to was not there very often. Sometimes it would be heaven surfing down waves in the sun, but then the conditions would change and we would have head winds and huge waves, lightening and squalls. It seemed to never end. It was really important to remain positive and to keep pushing and pushing and pushing, there was no rest, and the competition was fierce and close,” said Pip.
The experience has increased Pip’s already huge enthusiasm, and she’s looking forward to the 2013 edition of the race. “My plan is to find sponsorship for a full time campaign for 2013 - chasing a podium position in the Series fleet. This is now unfinished business!”
Top 3 overall Series results:
1st Gwénolé Gahinet (ASSO Watever) 29d:16h:46m:40s
2nd Pierre Brasseur (Voiles Ocean) 29d:20h:22m:40s
3rd Benoit Mariette (Odalys Vacances) 30d:0h:42m:58s
17th Pip Hare (The Potting Shed) 31d:10h:52m:7s
Credit : Pip Hare © Pip Hare Ocean Racing
“I am absolutely thrilled,” explained Pip. “I learned a huge amount on this leg and at the end I was fighting closely with some guys who have been training in these boats for four years, so I am very proud to have been able to compete with them.”Pip finished with an overall position of 17th place (Series results) with a cumulative time of 31 days, 10 hours, 52 minutes and 7 seconds for the two legs.
“Unbelievable! The atmosphere was amazing, the sail in was so tough and stressful with Ysbrand and Hugo hot on my heels. I arrived to music, a huge crowd cheering, fireworks, and one hundred arms all hugging me! I could not stop smiling, it is one of the best moments of my life to date.”This year the competitors experienced uncharacteristically difficult weather systems which tested them to the limit: “The long trade wind sailing that we all looked forward to was not there very often. Sometimes it would be heaven surfing down waves in the sun, but then the conditions would change and we would have head winds and huge waves, lightening and squalls. It seemed to never end. It was really important to remain positive and to keep pushing and pushing and pushing, there was no rest, and the competition was fierce and close,” said Pip.
The experience has increased Pip’s already huge enthusiasm, and she’s looking forward to the 2013 edition of the race. “My plan is to find sponsorship for a full time campaign for 2013 - chasing a podium position in the Series fleet. This is now unfinished business!”
Top 3 overall Series results:
1st Gwénolé Gahinet (ASSO Watever) 29d:16h:46m:40s
2nd Pierre Brasseur (Voiles Ocean) 29d:20h:22m:40s
3rd Benoit Mariette (Odalys Vacances) 30d:0h:42m:58s
17th Pip Hare (The Potting Shed) 31d:10h:52m:7s
From : Artemis Offshore Academy
