Pepe Ribes: "We’re quite happy with the final rankings. At the start of the race, we hadn’t even hoped of finsihing so high. Compared to last summer, when we did the Round Europe race, we’ve certainly gained in terms of speed. As long as we’re not sailing upwind, we remain competitive. We’re quite pleased about what the boat was able to do.”

Vincent Riou : "This was really a strange race. We set off in every direction from Palma and thought there would be some huge gaps. In the end, we all finished together with a great final run over the last thirty miles with a lot of close contact sailing and strategic choices. We’re pleased to have won a second leg ahead of Safran, because they were sailing so well that it was far from easy to get ahead. We have made progress throughout the race, but we saw too that all the teams made giant leaps. The Spanish are up there now: now they have the potential to win races, even if that wasn’t the case this time around. We’re pleased to see how this class is becoming international and that promises a lot for the years to come."

"We can’t feel disappointed about this final leg. There’s not the hint of feeling depressed, as we really fought hard. This was hotly contested right up to the finishing line that was so difficult to reach.At certain points we really thought we could win, while at other times we thought we would finish fifth. From Palma to Palamos, we really gave it our all and were pleased with our choices. Then, in light airs, we suffered in comparison to PRB, with her tunny rig, as she can carry more headsail than us. Looking at this leg, we really thought Iker and Xabi were going to win."

This will be the first time that wireless technology has been used on a 60-foot Open boat. It can now be found with the back-up nav control system on Arnaud Boissière’s AKENA Vérandas. This device, the real nerve centre of the boat, analyses the data obtained via the various sensors onboard (wind gauge, wind vane, speedo) in order to drive the autopilot. For solo races, where autopilot failure can be fatal, Arnaud has chosen a back-up using wireless technology. “In the long run, the idea is to move from the cable system as most of the problems come from false connections,” explained the skipper. Today, this replacement system means he can cope with a damaged wind vane, for example. "A windvane and wind gauge can be attached to a pole, meaning the skipper doesn’t have to climb the mast in dangerous conditions,” explained the company behind the device, Tacktick by Suunto, the project’s official supplier.

After sixteen months of studies and construction, the new 60' monohull Virbac-Paprec 3 sailed for the first time today in Auckland. This is always an exciting moment for any team and with her skipper Jean-Pierre Dick they all appreciated the speed and agility of the blue and white monohull. Sea trials will continue in the southern hemisphere, before Jean-Pierre sets off to sail halfway around the world to deliver his boat to France. Jean-Pierre Dick: “We are just discovering the boat and she already feels right. Virbac-Paprec 3 is a fast machine. She accelerates quickly and is very lively. She’s a boat with a lot of potential and it’s going to be a real challenge to get the most out of her. I’m pleased, as first impressions count a lot after so many months building her. She satisfies the specifications we laid down. She’s a real fiery machine.”

The new Imoca 60 designed by VPLP / Verdier for Jean-Pierre Dick, Virbac-Paprec 3, has just left Cookson’s boat yard Cookson in New Zealand. She is due to be launched tomorrow (Tuesday 18th May) in Auckland. Once in the water, the boat will be sailed to France by Jean-Pierre Dick, who will carry out initial tests and take advantage of the opportunity to train. He is set to sail halfway around the world via the Panama Canal to arrive in France in late July. Jean-Pierre Dick will be taking part in the Route du Rhum in early November, then the Barcelona World Race, which he won in 2008.