What does it take to thrive at sea when the waves are high, the sleep is short and the stakes couldn’t be higher?
In this week’s episode, two of Britain’s most accomplished offshore sailors, Pip Hare and Abby Ehler, share what it truly means to be a professional sailor on the toughest oceans on the planet while shaping the future of the sport.
Pip Hare, solo ocean racer and Vendee Globe skipper, reveals what draws her back to the sea time and time again. From earning her RYA qualifications to pushing herself and her boat to the limits, Pip talks about the realities of preparing for global ocean races and why the sailing itself can sometimes feel like the easy bit. She discusses life onboard a foiling IMOCA, the deafening sound of a boat at full speed and how she balances being both a CEO and a solo skipper.
Abby Ehler, four-time Ocean Race veteran and champion of women’s participation in sailing, reflects on her remarkable career at the forefront of high-performance ocean racing. She discusses the evolution of all-female teams, the role of mentoring through The Magenta Project and what separates good sailors from world-class athletes. Abby also shares candid insights into managing funding, the mental and physical demands of ocean racing and how she balances long stints away from home with life on land.
Pip and Abby paint an unflinching picture of life as a professional sailor, where endurance, teamwork and innovation collide with the raw power of the sea.
The RYA 150 Podcast, hosted by record-breaking British yachtswoman Dee Caffari, marks 150 years of sailing heritage and future inspiration. You can listen to a new episode every week via your favourite podcast platform – including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music – or online at rya.org.uk/150-podcast
