Pip Hare and Medallia going for next Vendée - with new boat

The news that British Vendée Globe followers were hoping for was confirmed in May, with the announcement that Pip Hare and sponsor Medallia will continue their partnership for the next Vendée Globe in 2023/24.

Hare and Medallia have bought the VPLPdesigned IMOCA that was known as Bureau Vallée II, sailed by Louis Burton to third place overall in the last race.

Before that the boat was the winner of the 2016/17 edition when it was sailed by Armel Le Cléac’h as Banque Populaire VIII.

It is fantastic news for Poole sailor Hare, who in this last Vendée Globe (2020/21) was widely praised for her performance in one of the race’s oldest boats, finishing 19th overall.

Now she will take on a foiling IMOCA that boasts impeccable pedigree and she has time to work it up to pace for the next Vendée Globe.

Hare said: “Medallia and I have had a fantastic partnership over the last year – they made a huge difference to my 2020/21 Vendée Globe race when they joined my campaign just five months before the start of the race.

“So having them with me now, at the very start of my 2024 campaign is brilliant – their support has given me the chance to secure the boat that will take me round the world in about three years’ time.