Ambre Hasson’s Unique Yet Motivating Journey into Sailing
by Mark Jardine 29 Oct 11:00 PDT
Ambre Hasson © www.ambresails.com
Ambre Hasson is a Classe Mini sailor who will engage with fellow sailors in the Vendée Globe race village before the race kicks off on 10th November. Initially not drawn to sailing, she became inspired by Pip Hare during the 2020/21 Vendée and, despite facing challenges and one major setback, she has demonstrated resilience and tenacity to follow in her footsteps.
Originally from Paris, Ambre moved to Virginia, USA at age 10, graduated in Economics, and was working in a tech 9 to 5 job in NYC when she felt the allure of the ocean.
I spoke with Ambre to learn about her background and her journey in sailing.
As a child, Ambre began with sports such as horseback riding and scuba diving, but it wasn’t until college that she embraced competition. She shared, “I took up running, and it was tough initially because I wasn’t fit, but eventually I broke through and became quite hooked. I did my first triathlon in college, then continued running. After moving to New York, I completed my first marathon, another triathlon, and another marathon—I became passionate about endurance sports. It’s both physically and mentally challenging to finish.”
Though she has fond memories of sailing with her grandfather as a child, sailing was never a dream for her; she always adored the ocean, and the view from her NYC office sparked her desire to be on the water.
“I recall working in my office with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge, gazing at the water all day instead of focusing on my emails. There was always a yearning, but the opportunity to pursue it wasn’t there.”
Four years ago, she learned to sail at a small school in the Florida Keys and instantly fell in love with the sport while also discovering Pip Hare and the Vendée Globe.
“It coincided with the Vendée Globe, and I found Pip Hare on social media, thinking, ‘What is this? This is crazy!’ The notion of a single sailor facing nature on a 60-foot vessel was wild to me. I followed every update and felt an inner desire to experience that. At that time, I had no clue how hard it would be, but it seemed like the ultimate adventure. Climbing Everest? Conquering the Vendée Globe is even more significant. I vividly remember when Pip broke her rudder and had to fix it in the Southern Ocean, and I wanted to be part of that adventure.”
While many people admire sailors like Pip, taking the steps to become an offshore sailor demands commitment and resolve. Ambre continued to heed the call of the ocean:
“There was a part of me eager to venture further from land, so I began to take delivery jobs to get on larger boats, realizing I wanted to sail independently to make my own choices. I decided to get my own boat, which turned out to be free, only to discover there’s truly no such thing as a free boat!”
“I discovered about other classes, including Class 40, Figaro, and ultimately the Classe Mini, but they felt out of reach. Then I found myself in France visiting family, where I saw a Mini race start—there were so many boats gathered, and watching them depart I was captivated.”
“I started conversing with these ‘crazy’ mini sailors and quickly realized they were just everyday people. Some had extensive experience while others were newcomers; there was a mix. That was two years ago, and right then, I decided I’d return with a Mini. So I went back to the U.S., worked in boatyards, returned to France, bought a boat, and began training.”
Finding her niche within the class came soon after as the sailors accepted her warmly and offered considerable support:
“The spirit of the Classe Mini community is truly extraordinary. We are solitary sailors, but on the docks, it’s a collaborative effort where we assist one another. Being bilingual helps, and although I might have initially seemed intimidating, people warmed up to me once they realized I could communicate in French.”
A Classe Mini is no ordinary vessel; it possesses the ability to plane quickly while also handling rough seas, meaning sailors must develop diverse skills, as Ambre elaborated:
“The sailing style is quite distinct, pushing everything to the next level—boat preparation, resources needed for the boat’s upkeep, financial responsibilities, and so on. It demands attention on many fronts. You must switch from a business mindset to a sailing mentality to a technical one constantly.”
Ambre’s progression in the Classe Mini hasn’t been without its ups and downs. She faced dramatic circumstances when she lost her first boat after completing a 1000 nautical mile qualifier for the Mini Transat:
“My boat was the least expensive and the oldest in the fleet, making things quite challenging. I needed to finish the qualifier from France to Ireland and back within 12 days before the deadline. The forecast didn’t look great, but I consulted a weather expert and devised a plan to navigate around the low-pressure systems. It was an adventure that built my confidence in my vessel; I’d completed 1000 miles after battling through four weather fronts.”
“Upon reaching Port Bourgenay, I informed them I would arrive in the morning, and they scheduled to tow me in upon my arrival. The port features a lengthy channel where you need to line up with the first buoy. Upon arrival, I hailed them, and they instructed me to proceed downwind, dropping my mainsail halfway while they would tow me at the entrance.”
However, Ambre grew uneasy as she approached, noticing a significant swell from the weather, and the channel’s depth was limited.
“The waves began to break midway, and I thought, ‘This isn’t good,’ but turning back was not an option. I radioed them again, noticing the sea wall looming ahead. I saw the channel markers, yet the entrance remained hidden, and just then I spotted the Zodiac waiting for me, sheltered from the swell—understandably, they were trying to avoid dangerous waters.”
“In that moment, a wave struck the rear of my boat, sending me outside the green channel marker buoy, causing my keel to scrape the bottom. The Zodiac attempted to maneuver me back into the channel, but a wave seized us both, and suddenly I was trapped on a rock with waves crashing around me. I watched my keel pierce the boat, hearing the fiberglass crack and water rushing in. It was then I knew I was powerless to change the situation. Deciding whether to abandon ship was heart-wrenching; I slammed the cabin top in frustration, feeling completely powerless. I quickly grabbed my essential bag and jumped overboard, going underwater before my life jacket inflated to bring me back to the surface.”
“I swam to a small beach where a man offered to help with my bags, but I could barely respond. I must have looked furious as he hesitated but eventually I handed him a bag. I was in shock for almost two weeks afterward.”
Such an experience could deter anyone from sailing again, yet Ambre was certain of her desire to continue:
“My greatest fear after losing my boat was simply not having one. Despite the challenging qualifying sail, I cherished the time spent alone on my boat and wanted to keep that chapter alive.”
Ambre then sought out another Mini, armed with significantly more knowledge about the class and contacts within it to guide her decision:
“Purchasing a new boat requires both practical and emotional considerations. I sought a prototype because that aspect of the Minis fascinated me, and I needed a beautiful boat. I couldn’t picture myself on a modern scow bow. Even while healing from heartbreak, envisioning myself on a different boat became difficult, but when I discovered a stunning vessel, everyone I spoke to about it described it as magical—a very hard boat, indeed, but enchanting.”
“I consulted with a friend, Benoit Marie, who won the Mini Transat with 667; he advised I buy that particular boat since it was a sistership to his. Thus, I found 618 in Finland, invited my friend Geert Schouten, a naval architect for an objective opinion, and he confirmed it was well-constructed and in great condition.”
“Some electrical work and antifouling were needed, but I began training in January, completing the entire season and finishing my 1000-mile qualifier. After last year, getting back into port following the qualifier was the most stressful moment of my season.”
The joy of completing a full Mini season and qualifying for the Mini Transat 2025 was evident in Ambre’s tone, and after the exhausting challenges faced the previous year, concluding on a positive note allowed her to move past her previous grievances.
“I chose a familiar port, Douarnenez, where I practice, and entering that beautiful bay felt significant. It was where I fell in love with sailing, convincing me to purchase a boat initially. Everything aligned perfectly as I entered the bay. The downwind conditions, with the sunset—it was idyllic.”
“I have never cried while sailing, but arriving in the bay after all I endured was magical; I shed a few tears of joy. All the hardships, the effort, the anxieties culminated at that moment. My friends were there too, making it perfect.”
Ambre is actively working on her boat, as there’s always an extensive list of tasks ahead, and the sail and rigging systems have advanced since her boat’s construction in 2006. She aims to ensure everything is as reliable as possible for the Mini Transat, building an impressive following on social media and fostering excellent partnerships with supporting sponsors:
“I’m incredibly thankful for amazing individuals and partners like Adjuvoo who support this journey. Their confidence in me is what transforms this project into reality.”
Regarding future aspirations, Ambre is focused on taking one step at a time while looking ahead.
“Let me focus on my Transat first—it’s already a massive undertaking—but naturally, I project into the future. The whole reason I’m here is the Vendée Globe, though that will take years to achieve, and it’s always on my mind. Looking back at Pip Hare, this is entirely her doing!”
Ambre will interview Vendée Globe participants for Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com in Les Sables d’Olonne before the race starts on 10th November. We will also follow her ongoing sailing journey as it progresses! Follow her on Instagram at @ambre_sails
Mark Jardine
Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com Managing Editor
