Vendée Globe

The countdown to the start of the Vendée Globe has well and truly begun for the skipper of Paprec-Virbac 2. In less than six months, Jean-Pierre Dick will be setting out on his third round the world voyage, his second sailing alone. We are into the final months of work on the blue monohull which will be relaunched in mid-June. JP is busy preparing and has his work cut out: technical training sessions, and work on the weather. This is what he told us, when we met up:

Concerning your preparation for the Vendée Globe, you are busy concentrating on the technical aspects. Can you explain a little about what you are doing?

Jean-Pierre: «This week, I’m dealing with everything to do with composites. The aim is to be able to repair things quickly and work fast. It has to become almost automatic. For the Vendée Globe, I should be less stressed than last time. Julien Penven, who is in charge of composites on Paprec-Virbac 2, is in charge of my training. I’m doing exercices on repair work and I’m also working down at the boat yard.»


Why is that so important for you?

Jean-Pierre: «I’m deeply involved in the technical preparation of the boat. I try to spend two periods a day of around three hours doing that. That is a lot of work, as it’s not something I often do, but it’s enjoyable. The Vendée Globe will be a race where preserving the equipment is everything. So we have to be ready!»


And outside of the yard?

Jean-Pierre: «I reserve one hour a day usually in the evening to work on the weather. I’m taking advantage of The Transat to get into that. I look at the options the competitors have taken and I try to see whjat I would do, which strategy I would adopt. However, it’s much better, when you’re at sea, as you have a real vision of what things are like on the water.»

Previous news items :