Russell Crowe sends birthday message to Vendee sailor Pip Hare: ‘what a feeling when you can say you’ve conquered the globe’
- The Australian actor sends a message to Vendee Globe competitor jokingly comparing her adventure to his kayaking trip
- Alone for 87 days at sea, the British sailor receives a surprise from the star of one of her favourite films
Actor Russell Crowe sent a video message to British sailor Pip Hare, wishing her happy birthday as she sails around the world. Hare is about 3,700km from the end of her journey, which is part of the Vendee Globe non-stop solo round-the-world sailing race.
“Happy birthday Pip, I hear you’re sailing around the globe. Just this morning I was kayaking up Coff’s Creek. I had a paddle which made it significantly easier. So it’s a similar journey, I imagine,” Crowe joked.
The Vendee Globe takes place every four years. Hare is currently in 20th place, out of 25 sailors (32 started the race, and eight have retired). Hare, celebrating her 47th birthday, has been at sea for 87 days.
“I’m just sitting here thinking about the incredible challenge you have in front of you and how overwhelming that must feel some days,” Crowe said.
“Just keep going. What an amazing feeling your going to have when you can say you’ve conquered the globe.”
The message was promoted by Steve Harris, BBC Radio Solent’s Dorset presenter. He speculatively tweeted “Long shot … anyone know any way I can get in touch with Russel Crowe? THE Russel Crowe?!” Crowe replied: “What’s up Steve”.
Harris had interviewed Hare from her yacht, and she discussed how she loved Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, a 2003 film starring Australian Crowe as a British Navy captain.
Hare received the message and sent her own message back: “Thank you so much for my birthday message, you have no idea what a surprise and how great it was to receive it. I’ve been on my own for 87 days.”
