Hello shipmates.
Listen up as you’ll be hearing the pipes a’ playing and the clogs dancing in delight during these lockdown days. Here at the good ship Visa-gb a turning tide and an offshore breeze is filling our sails with delightful news. We are thrilled, did I say thrilled? Well you can double that and add a tot or two as it’s been announced that Sailing superstar, ocean racer, Vendee Globe competitor Pip Hare, and yes that’s really Pip Hare of Pip Hare Ocean Racing has become the Patron of Visa-gb!!
So what an earth has persuaded this busy sailor to down tools in her full schedule prep for that cheeky globe girdling trot that kicks off in November we hear you ask? A good question and for once I’ll shut up ( I know what you’re thinking, so stop it) and let Pip tell you why:
“I was delighted to be approached by the Visually Impaired Sailing Association with a view to become their Patron. Having meet some of the Visa-gb sailors in 2019 I was extremely impressed by their approach and felt it matched my own. By empowering the visually impaired sailors to manage the complete boat trip it created a wonderfully positive approach to sailing. My own goals have been achieved by the same single minded determination I saw in these sailors, and I found it inspirational. By making sailing more accessible and fully inclusive I firmly believe we can make our great sport open to all. I am pleased to accept the post of Patron and ambassador for Visa-gb and look forward to supporting and helping them achieve their goals.”
Well you can imagine the reaction this end. Bunting strung from the spreaders, best hats called into action, main braces spliced and all manner of horns tooted in delight. Once drawn from his place on the poop deck and his smile sufficiently eased for speech our leader, with throat cleared and the emotional tear dabbed from the eye spoke: “All of us at the Visually Impaired Sailing Association are thrilled that Ocean racer, and life long sailor, Pip Hare has agreed to be our Patron. Our charity will benefit from her enthusiasm, knowledge and determined attitude that will see her on the start line if this year’s Vendee Globe race. Pip embodies much of what we stand for, there are many that think we chase impossible dreams, but our blind and visually impaired members are determined not to allow lack of sight stopping them enjoying and benefiting from sailing. As our figurehead we know Pip will encourage us to achieve our ambitions. I also know that Pip will help us deliver our message to all in our community that Visa-gb will continue to empower our sailors, encourage all to learn new skills and enjoy their participation in our great sport.”
Terrific and well said Eddie I hear you say, and you’re right – great news and you can be sure the trustees are beavering away with new plans, a cruise in the Southern Ocean?
That’s it for now – Stay safe and keep in touch
