Highfield Boats announces partnership with Pip Hare Ocean Racing

Highfield Boats has announced a partnership with Pip Hare Ocean Racing to supply the team with a bespoke Patrol 760 RIB in support of Hare’s global sailing campaign. The RIB will support the programme that includes preparation for Hare competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe single-handed, non-stop, round-the-world race on her new foiling IMOCA, Medallia.

Hare is one of only eight women who have already completed a gruelling Vendée Globe. In preparation for the next, she will be competing in the forthcoming Route du Rhum which starts this November 2022.

“A support RIB with good power and manoeuvrability is essential for us,” says Hare. “We’re pleased to have this partnership with Highfield Boats. Our team has already taken delivery of the RIB, and we have the reassurance of its integrity and design, to enable our support team to keep close to Medallia in what can be challenging offshore seas. It feels good, too, that the boat is made of recyclable materials.”

The Highfield Patrol 760, powered by Honda UK Power, is described as a perfect working platform for the Pip Hare Ocean Racing team. The commercial-quality RIB has a deep V hull and is said to withstand the toughest of conditions while giving a soft dry ride making it the perfect pursuit boat to keep up with Medallia.

The partnership announcement continues the tradition for the aluminium RIB manufacturer of being a core partner of the Global IMOCA fleet.

Steve Harrison of Highfield Boats says: “We are very proud to partner with Pip – we closely followed her progress and achievements through the Vendée Globe 2020, earning her place as one of the world’s top offshore sailors. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries fits with our brand ethos, that of daring to explore further.”

The package includes a second RIB from Highfield to provide further technical support which will be supplied to Pip Hare Ocean Racing in the next few months.