Jean-Pierre Dick is known for having a motivation of steel when sailing solo. A driving force which kept him going through the last Vendée Globe. The same applies when sailing crewed ! And just to prove it, this afternoon, he finished 3rd in the Calais Round Britain Race, an event raced by the finest 60 foot monohulls of the moment and which is “just as beautiful as it is difficult”.

JP and his young crew from the Figaro circuit can hold their heads high. In a race time : 7 days, 1 hour, 56 minutes and 2 seconds around the British Isles in a clockwise direction over a 1815 mile long course with a wide range of weather conditions on the menu. Never once did the crew lack the determination necessary to make sure they were in the rear view mirror of the leaders, Sill and Veolia helmed by Roland Jourdain and Ecover with Mike Golding at the helm. Virbac-Paprec closed the podium gate finishing 3rd in a race where four other boats retired. An interview with the skipper :

First impressions
“This race was just as beautiful as it was difficult. We have been through seven very intensive days over a tough course. Strategy was paramount. But it was great fun sailing downwind in a blow . I’ll never forget the Shetlands which added an exotic touch. It’s not the sort of place you sail through every day (61° North) ! I’m pleased to have made it into the top three after having made a bit of a comeback on the leaders. After the Vendée Globe I really appreciated being able to sail alongside specialists of single handed sailing. They have found out what it is like to sail a 60 foot monohull, but already knew all about sailing close to the coast and at close quarters with their opponents. A rich experience all round… ”

Sailing crewed after sailing solo
“It certainly is a little strange to sail crewed three months after the Vendée Globe. Quite a break from the bachelor lifestyle ! This type of race gives you the chance to exchange and explore new areas. In the end you get to know the boat better. With the four year programme I have lined up and the preparation for the next Vendée Globe, I’m hoping to broaden my horizons a little more. This is why I turned to young sailors from the Figaro circuit. They are experts in solo sailing - really pleasant guys full of energy. And they get down to it ! A thoroughly interesting race from a human point of view.”

The race itself
“Getting into the swing of things was not easy. We had a couple of difficult moments at the start, then we managed to come back on Bonduelle (Jean Le Cam) in particular. We had to fight hard to keep up. The fact that we lost our Solent (ed’s note – a headsail used in wide-ranging conditions) very early on held us back quite a bit. Our only regret was not having been able to keep in closer contact with the leaders although we are satisfied that we never gave up. It really is a beautiful race. I feel sorry for Jean Le Cam having dismasted as I am for all the others who were forced to retire. Bravo Bilou ! I’m pleased that he won after having seen his Vendée Globe participation come to a halt much too early. He and his crew really sailed a fine race.”

Facts and figures - Virbac-Paprec
Start from Calais : Sunday 22nd May at 14h30 (French time)
Finish in Calais / Virbac-Paprec : Sunday 29th May at 16h26
Race time : 7 days, 1 hour, 56 minutes and 2 seconds
Behind the leader : 09 hours, 12 minutes, 41 seconds
Average speed : 10.68 knots

Crew : Jean-Pierre Dick, Nicolas Abiven, Charles Caudrelier, Erwan Tabarly et Nicolas Béranger.

Share or bookmark this story: