Readier than ever

With a very unusual background… while remaining one of the most experienced sailors in the race, he is there to win. It was a long time ago that the former vet and company boss was seen merely as a round the buoys sailor or coastal racer. In his first Vendée Globe in 2004, Jean-Pierre suffered one problem after another, mostly down to bad luck, but also due to a lack of experience of single-handed ocean racing. However, he won the admiration of everyone by showing dogged determination, in spite of being so unlucky, and finished up in sixth place.

A perfectionist, who shows utter determination, Jean-Pierre has certainly clocked up the miles and has been working very hard since 2002. Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2003, 2005 and 2011 and third in the 2006 Route du Rhum, he has continued to progress, even daring to try races, which on paper did not appear to suit him, such as in the Figaro single-handed event: always with the aim of learning. When he lined up at the start of his second Vendée Globe in 2008, Jean-Pierre was in the small group of sailors to beat. He had a great start to the race, but was forced to retire after colliding with a growler off New Zealand. Jean-Pierre has had more success sailing double-handed, twice winning the Barcelona World Race firstly with Damian Foxall (2007-2008), then with Loïck Peyron (in 2010-2011). This shows that he is about to enter a new chapter.In 2012, he hopes to shine once again sailing around the world but this time as a solo sailor…


Press Contact :
Anne-Charlotte MEYER / +33 (0)6 12 38 20 14 / meyer@jpdick.com
Laurent SIMON / +33 (0)6 80 87 91 34 / ls@windward.fr

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