Dorset sailor crosses finish line of non-stop round-the-world race

A Dorset sailor has become the first British skipper to finish a grueling round-the-world yacht race.

Pip Hare from Poole crossed the finish line of the solo, non-stop Vendée Globe in 19th place after 95 days, 11 hours, 37 minutes and 30 seconds at sea.

Hare, 47, is only the eighth woman ever to finish the Vendée Globe in its history and she said she was already looking at competing in the 2024 race.

Her performance on a 21-year-old IMOCA, the oldest boat yet to finish this edition, has drawn admiration from international ocean racing.

Race organisers said she had "illuminated every aspect of her Vendée Globe, demystifying solo ocean racing with her colourful and comprehensive daily reports",

Hare's race was not without drama

Veteran French ocean racer Jean Le Cam, who finished fourth in the race, said: "She is a ray of sunshine, what she is doing in incredible".

Swiss skipper Bernard Stamm, who built Hare’s boat, described her as "my hero".

Hare's race was not without drama, and she overcame a significant technical problem in the depths of the Pacific Ocean.

She replaced one of her rudders in big seas and 25 knots of wind which allowed her to stay in the race and to still remain close to a group of four faster rivals.