Pip Hare's Vendee Globe bid is over after being dismantled

Hare sails to safety after setting up an emergency rig

Dalin is the leader, but other sailors are facing challenges

By Ossian Shimmer

Dec 16 - The shattered mast of British sailor PipHare has ended his bid to complete a second Vendee Globe, a 24,000-mile race.

The 50-year old woman dismasted the 60ft boat Medallia, about 800 nautical miles south-west of Australia. This ended a solo trip that began on November 10.

It all feels very raw at the moment. "I am devastated", she said. This is the culmination of four years' planning, preparation, and development. We were both in great shape. I was racing well and the boat with me. We were halfway around the world. To dismast is brutal.

Hare, who was locked in a close race for 15th with French rival Romain Athanasio of Fortinet Best Western and chasing Benjamin Dutreux of Guyot Environnement - Water Family, managed to set up a "jury rig", an emergency safety device.

The mast of my second solo race around the world has been ended. I'm about halfway along Australia's longitude on Day 35. This morning, my boat Medallia was thrown into the air by a wave. When it landed, the mast fell apart and broke in two.

"I am about 700 miles away from the nearest piece of land, and I have already been able to make a jury-rig out of one of the pieces that I salvaged.

"I have some sails up and am slowly making my way towards the land." The boat is fine, I'm fine in terms of security and we're making our way towards the shore. It was the best edition of the Vendee Globe to date. I'm really upset. "It was the highlight of my professional career, and to see it end this way is very punishing."

Antoine Cornic, 33rd Human Immobilier, anchored in rough waters near Saint-Paul Island to repair the mainsail traveller of his boat.

Benjamin Ferre, (Monnoyeur – DUO for a Job) had to endure a harrowing evening after his keel ram sustained significant damage.

Ferre stated, "These were some of the most intense moments I have ever experienced while on a vessel."

Ferre was woken up by a loud explosion. He found oil spraying across his boat, and the keel dangling to the leeward. The hydraulic ram that held the keel exploded and threatened to further damage the hull.

Ferre stabilised the situation after working for 12 hours under the guidance of Jean Le Cam and his fellow competitor.

He was exhausted, but still resolute. "For most of the night I thought that my Vendee Globe had ended," he admitted.

Charlie Dalin, (MACIF Sante Prevoyance), continues to lead the fleet. He crosses the anti-meridian in front of Yoann Richardomme (PAPREC – ARKEA), just 40 miles behind and sailing faster.

Further down the fleet those who were previously stuck in a high pressure ridge, have gained speed. Thomas Ruyant (4th, VULNERABLE) averages nearly 25 knots. Boris Herrmann (5th, Malizia Seaexplorer), who is also racing the top 10, is also one of the fastest.

Justine Mettraux, from TeamWork-Team Snef in 11th place, said of her progress: "The next days will be challenging with a strong gusty wind to navigate before some downwind sail near Point Nemo."

Vendee Globe is one of the most difficult sailing races. It's a non-stop race that takes place without any assistance.

Les Sables-d'Olonne in France is the starting and ending point of the approximately 24,000 nautical-mile route, which takes competitors around the southern caps of Africa, Australia and South America and back up the Atlantic.

As they struggle to complete this iconic course, sailors face some of most hostile and remote conditions on Earth.

The race started on November 10. The last edition was won by Yannick Bestaven, a Frenchman, who finished in 80 days, 3 hours, 44 minutes. Christian Radnedge edited the article.

(source: Reuters)