2020 Vendée Globe: Pip Hare Explains How It Feels to Be on the Starting Line

The 2020 Vendée Globe stands as one of the most grueling and iconic solo sailing races in history. For British skipper Pip Hare, reaching the start line was a victory in itself, the culmination of a lifelong dream and years of relentless effort. In this exclusive insight, Pip Hare explains how it feels to be on the starting line of this non-stop, round-the-world marathon—a moment charged with anticipation, fear, and profound focus.

The Culmination of a Dream

For Pip Hare, the journey to the 2020 Vendée Globe start was a decade-long odyssey of preparation. The feeling on the start line, she describes, was a powerful cocktail of immense pride and surreal disbelief. After countless hours of boat preparation, fundraising, and physical training, the moment of truth arrived. The roar of the spectator fleet, the final checks, and the sight of the other IMOCA 60s created an atmosphere that was both electrifying and intensely personal. Pip Hare explains that this was the point where abstract planning transformed into tangible reality.

A Symphony of Emotions: Focus, Fear, and Excitement

When asked to articulate how it feels to be on the starting line, Hare describes a disciplined compartmentalization of emotions. The predominant sensation was a hyper-focused calm, a necessary shield against the overwhelming magnitude of the task ahead—sailing alone for over 24,000 nautical miles. Beneath this focus simmered a healthy fear: respect for the Southern Ocean, anxiety about equipment failure, and the sheer solitude. Yet, intertwined was pure excitement, the thrill of finally competing against the world's best in the ultimate test of seamanship and endurance that is the Vendée Globe.

The Weight of Responsibility and Support

Standing at the helm, Hare was acutely aware of the weight of responsibility. She was not just a sailor but the CEO, navigator, and engineer of her entire campaign. The boat represented the faith and investment of her team, sponsors, and supporters. This sense of duty, Pip Hare explains, sharpened her concentration. The starting line was a threshold; crossing it meant committing to a promise—to herself and her backers—to sail smart, push limits, and bring the boat home safely, no matter what the legendary race threw at her.

The Final Minutes: Rituals and Readiness

In the final minutes before the gun, routine took over. Pip Hare recounts methodically going through pre-start checks, a ritual to anchor herself in the present. The cacophony of the outside world faded as she connected with her boat, feeling the wind and current, and plotting her first tactical move. This period of intense readiness was crucial. On the starting line of the 2020 Vendée Globe, there is no room for distraction. It is a state of pure being, where years of training instinctively take over, and the long voyage begins with a single, decisive action.

Conclusion: The Threshold of the Ultimate Journey

In summary, Pip Hare explains how it feels to be on the starting line of the 2020 Vendée Globe as a profound human experience. It is a unique point in time where extreme preparation meets the unknown, where dream converges with reality. The emotions—pride, focus, fear, and excitement—are not conflicting but coalesce into the fuel required for the monumental challenge ahead. For Hare and every competitor, that start line is more than a mark on the water; it is the gateway to a personal and sporting legend, the first step into a world of solitude, storm, and sublime achievement that defines the Vendée Globe.