Pip - Ocean Race Europe

[John_Silver]

Pip joins Canada Ocean Racing (or here, if you don’t do Facebook) for all legs of the Ocean Race Europe. Polishing her skills, whilst helping them bring their (shortly to be revealed) new (to them - I’m guessing) foiling IMOCA up to speed; and staying visible, to potential sponsors.

From the Canada Ocean Racing team page, it seems Joff Brown (Pip’s Boat Captain / Technical Director, for her two Vendee’s) is their, full time, Technical Director…..,

Implications for a Pip 2028 Vendée Globe qualification tbc…..

 

[John_Silver]

One mystery solved: the new Canada Ocean Racing IMOCA is the one Seb Simon achieved third with. In the 2024 Vendée Globe, despite the loss of a foil, in the Big South. Prior to that, known as 11th Hour Racing. Winner of the inaugural Ocean Race.

Only word, on Team Pip, that I’ve seen, is her London book launch / Q&A evening, supported by Helly Hansen.

 

[geoid96]

Medallia is now safely afloat on P pontoon in Le Havre Marina.

 

[John_Silver]

Good news for Pip. Bad timing on my part. Was berthed there 26-28 April. In St Peter Port now….

See Pip’s got an update up on YouTube:

And has launched Pip Hare Ocean Racing Services. I’m guessing, as a means to keep her team (minus Joff) ticking over, until a title sponsor can be found.

 

[John_Silver]

Tip & Shaft has a piece on the state of the IMOCA fleet: sponsorship, new builds, slow (for now) secondhand market, (lack of) demand for daggerboard boats…..

Includes a snippet on a new boat, for Sam G.

 

[John_Silver]

More from Pip. Looks like Medallia's unloading, as 'scooped' by @geoid96 . But there may be a hint of whether a re-rig, in time for the Fastnet (which I think had been the original aim/hope) is on the cards. Can't view for myself: no marina WiFi in Roscoff (and I'll breach my data cap, under Vodafone's [un]fair use policy, if I watch it on the phone).Precis welcome, from anyone with streaming capability!

 

[John_Silver]

Rosalin Kuiper’s boat, logoed up, for the Ocean Race Europe, off La Base, in Lorient yesterday.



Followed us in. After some boat on boat training, with Charlie Dalin’s IMOCA. During which, they were largely visible as nicks on the horizon. Moving at improbable speed.

 

[skua164]

Sam Goodchild taking over as replacement Skipper on Charlie Dalin's Boat ( who has gone into Hospital for an operation) for the Course des Caps Race round Britan & Ireland, starting in June.

Pips Boat is at the VI D2 Yard in Caen having a refit ( what or timescale not specified )

 

[John_Silver]

What a coup, for Sam G! Finally found the announcement, on FB:



Funnily enough, the day before it came out, the sails were being put aboard MACIF, outside Mer Concept, in Concarneau:



And, whilst I was eating breakfast, next day, the boat left. Moving too fast for me to get a pic or even see whose head was poking out of the cockpit hatch. Must have been Sam out for his first play practice run. Fingers crossed for him!

EDIT
Just remembered........took a 'lucky pot-shot,' with a long lens, through the open cockpit hatch, whilst watching the sails go aboard. On the off chance. Reckon I may have 'papped' Sam G. Well his nose and mouth, anyway. Top right:

 

[Cerebus]

Great for British sailing.

Go, go, go.

 

[matt1]

I wonder if Pip and Joff’s support and assistance for Canada Ocean Racing implies that the team are no longer managed and supported by Alex Thomson Racing?

 

[skua164]

He split with Alex Thompson some time ago. Nick Moloney as CEO was interviewed on one of the Vendee live programmes and a new Team put together.

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