PREPARING FOR THE VENDEE GLOBE: Matthew Barker catches up with yachtswoman Pip Hare to see how her preparations are going. A lovely conversation between the two! Barker Business Dry Cleaning and Laundry is proud to be a part of the Business Syndicate supporting Pip Hare in her build up to the Vendée Globe Did you know that fewer than 100 sailors have ever completed the Vendee Globe?​

To view the interview click HERE:

Barker Group is proud to have joined the business syndicate that is supporting Vendee Globe yachtswoman, Pip Hare. The syndicate has been formed in order to make backing the challenge as socially inclusive – and affordable – as possible.

Pip is Poole based and is just 10 months away from taking part in one of the planet’s most extreme sporting events. The inspirational yachtswoman is to single-handedly race her 60ft yacht, Superbigou – otherwise known as SuperB – around the world, non-stop.

She is one of just 30 international skippers who will line up for the Vendee Globe around the world race in November 2020.

Pip, 45, hopes to break the current female record, set in 2001 by Dame Ellen MacArthur who completed the course in 94 days, four hours and 25 minutes. Only seven women in history, and fewer than ten British skippers in total, have ever finished the 24,000 mile race which is held every four years.

In January a critical part of the build-up to the race was successfully completed when, working with PHC and WQI Marine Ltd, her yacht was successfully lifted out of the water.

The highly complex, and delicate, manoeuvre involved removing the craft and mast separately by crane.

SuperB will now undergo a three- month refit over the winter to get her in perfect condition.

Pip said: “We were working to a very tight-frame and we couldn’t take the 29 metre mast out in more than 18 knots of wind and it was a pretty windy week!
“In the event everything went just perfectly. The professionalism of all involved was fantastic and I can’t thank Poole Harbour Commissioners and WQI Marine enough.

“It was a really big day and another milestone successfully achieved.”

Barker Group MD Matt added, “All at Barker are incredibly proud of Pip and what she’s seeking to achieve. We are delighted to be a member of the business syndicate and be a part of her journey.”

You can read more online at Dorset Biz News or find out more about Pip Hare here.