Barker in Dorset has offered its support to the 2020 Vendee Globe competitor, Pip Hare, by signing up as an official partner. The successful sailor and marine journalist, who hails from Poole, will be lining up in November 2020, along with 30 international skippers to single-handedly race her 60ft boat around the world, non-stop.
The gruelling 24,000 mile race will see Pip competing against some of the world’s most elite offshore racers and contending with some of the earth’s most hostile environments. The race will take in the three great Capes; the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn. The course record for the race, which first took place in 1989, is 78 days. In 2001 Dame Ellen MacArthur came second in 94 days but no Brit has ever won the title, with fewer than 100 international skippers ever having completed the race.
Matthew Barker, MD of Barker advised, “We are incredibly proud to be supporting Pip. She has ambitious plans to become the fastest woman to ever race single- handedly around the world and we are huge admirers of her grit, drive and determination in seeking to achieve her goal. She is a real inspiration to us all!”
Pip enthused, “I’m really happy to welcome Barker as the latest member of my Business Syndicate and supporter of my Vendee Globe Campaign. Having the support of successful companies from the local Business community such as Barker’s is a real boost to my campaign; it not only gets me one step closer to the start but builds my confidence to take on this epic race. I am really proud to welcome Barker to the team and thank Matthew for his belief in this huge endeavour. Preparing for the Vendee Globe race is without doubt the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life and basing the boat in Poole was one of the best decisions I have made to date. I am proud to be flying the flag for such a positive, vibrant and forward- thinking community.”
www.barkergroup.info www.piphareoceanracing.com
About Barker
Barker is a high-quality fabric care and manufacturing business specialising in the improvement of established markets, from laundry to shirt making. Fully traceable, ethically grown and woven cotton of the highest quality is used to manufacture its bed linen range whilst also being the global leader in the supply of starched dress wear to the legal profession and the film, TV and theatre industries. Their work can be seen in Downton Abbey, Peaky Blinders and Mr Selfridge, to name just a few. Barkers are now the largest domestic laundry in the UK and a leading specialists Dry Cleaner, with a heritage dating back to 1861.