Sustained High-Speed Journey! Pip Hare Joins Canada Ocean Racing for The Ocean Race Europe
British Sailor Pip Hare to Race in The Ocean Race Europe 2025 with Canadian Skipper Scott Shawyer
British sailor Pip Hare is set to participate in the upcoming edition of The Ocean Race Europe, scheduled for 2025. Hare will be racing alongside Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer, marking an exciting collaboration between the two seasoned sailors.
Hare, who has previous experience in the Ocean Race Europe, having participated in 2021, is looking forward to the opportunity to sail with other IMOCA sailors and learn about managing the boat fully crewed. She finds the challenges of the Mediterranean, including wind shadows and parking up, particularly difficult, but is eager to tackle these challenges head-on.
Shawyer, a successful businessman and lifelong amateur sailor, announced his Vendeé Globe ambitions in 2022 and has been working with Vendeé veterans Alex Thomson and Nick Moloney. Shawyer's IMOCA campaign is named 'Canada Ocean Racing'. His team is about to acquire a new foiling IMOCA yacht for The Ocean Race Europe and the 2028 Vendeé Globe.
The challenging course for The Ocean Race Europe - Leg 2 in 2025 is the 1,400-nautical mile race to Cartagena, Spain, which includes a fly-by in Matosinhos/Porto, Portugal. The subsequent legs of The Ocean Race Europe 2025 are:
- Leg 3: Approximately 650 nautical miles through the Mediterranean Sea to Nice, France.
- Leg 4: About 600 nautical miles from Nice to Genova (Genoa), Italy.
- Leg 5: The final leg of roughly 1,000 nautical miles, sailing through the Adriatic Sea to the finish at Boka Bay, Montenegro.
The overall race covers around 4,500 nautical miles across five legs, starting in Kiel, Germany, on 10 August 2025 and finishing in late September. This marks the first time the race finishes in the Adriatic Sea, showcasing a diverse course connecting several key European maritime regions.
Scott Shawyer views Hare as a ruthless competitor with a huge heart, bringing tenacity, experience, and humanity to the team. Hare's ability to dig deep and lead through action will be a huge asset to Shawyer's team. The collaboration between Hare and Shawyer is seen as important for maintaining knowledge and driving performance among sailors.
Hare will be driving the sailing programme over the next two months for The Ocean Race Europe. The Ocean Race Europe Leg 2 will have a stop in Portsmouth, UK, and a 'flyby' at Matosinhos in Portugal. Hare is excited about the prospect of another non-French team making an impact in The Ocean Race Europe.
Notably, Hare dismasted in the 2024 Vendeé Globe and her IMOCA is currently being shipped back to Europe. Despite this setback, Hare remains undeterred and is focused on her upcoming race with Shawyer.
The success of this collaboration could pave the way for more international collaborations in future editions of The Ocean Race Europe and the Vendeé Globe, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and competition among sailors from different nations.
Pip Hare, in collaboration with Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer, is preparing for the challenging course of The Ocean Race Europe 2025, particularly Leg 2, a 1,400-nautical mile race to Cartagena, Spain. This race, alongside the entire Ocean Race Europe, showcases an opportunity for Hare to demonstrate her tenacity and leadership skills in sports, further driving performance and fostering camaraderie among international sailors.
