Poole-based sailor Pip Hare completes Vendée Globe

Having spent 95 days, 11 hours, 37 mins and 30 seconds racing across the seas, the 47-year-old skipper was able to celebrate as she became only the eighth woman to ever finish the race in its history.

Her 19th-place finished also means she was the first British sailor to complete this year's Vendée Globe.

She arrived through the Bay of Biscay off Les Sables-d'Olonne on France’s west coast at 12.57am on Friday, February 12, in a moment she will never forget.

Pip Hare crosses the finish line. Picture: Richard Langdon/Ocean Hare

After she reached the finish in the middle of a cold winter's night, she hoisted two red signal flares above her head and had a smile beaming across her face.

Sailing 27,976 miles round the world on your own is never going to be without its challenges, but having set off on November 8 last year she had more than her fair share of obstacles to overcome.

She suffered a failed wind wand, a broken rudder and, as recently as this week, a damaged pulpit.

However, she kept her spirits up and raced to the line to complete the epic feat in the fastest time possible.

Pip Hare crosses the finish line. Picture: Richard Langdon/Ocean Hare

In the finals weeks of the race her efforts received a psychological boost in the form of a personal message from acting star Russell Crowe, thanks to the efforts of BBC Radio Solent DJ Steve Harris.

Throughout the race Pip has provided daily updates of how the event has gone and she has built a real connection with many people back home, who have been in awe of what she has achieved in one of the most gruelling physical and mental challenges on the planet.