THE BOAT
Designer: Guillaume Verdier et VPLP
Construction: Cookson Boats (New Zealand)
Launch date: May 2010
Length: 18.28 m
Beam: 5.70 m
Draught: 4.50 m
Displacement (weight): around 7.8 tons
Centreboards: 2
Mast height: 29 m
Keel blade: Steel
Sail area upwind: 300 sq meters
Sail area downwind: 590 m sq meters
PORTRAIT
Nationality :
Résidence : Larmor-Plage (Morbihan)
Age : 47
Boat : Virbac Paprec
Website : www.jpdick.com
Vendée Globe Wins and Performances : 3rd entry in the Vendée Globe (6th in 2004-2005, retired in 2008-2009)
The gentleman skipper, as Loïck Peyron calls him, comes from Nice. Trained as a veterinary surgeon and with a 3rd-cycle HEC degree, JP has a background that did not suggest a future sailing the seas. Yet, at the age of 36, this experienced sailor decided to change his life and devote himself to his passion for offshore sailing. Jean-Pierre Dick is a man of challenges. In 2002 he took on a considerable one: Competing in the Vendée Globe. A tenacious and ambitious fighter as well as an unusual character, he devoted himself to his new life as an all-out sailor.
2011 Yachtsman of the year 2011
After his first win in the Transat Jacques Vabre (with Nicolas Abiven), JP was at the start of the 2004-2005 Vendee Globe, making his dream come true. A real “DIYer” despite himself (boom broken and repaired, energy problem forcing him to sail the remaining three quarters of the round-the-world race on solar energy only), he finished his first Vendée Globe in sixth position. The skipper of Virbac-Paprec 3 then enjoyed a series of victories, with two new Transat Jacques Vabre races (2005 and 2011), and two wins in the Barcelona World Race (2008 and 2011). In 2011, he earned the recognition of his peers and was voted Yachtsman of the year.
During the last Vendée Globe, as he was leading the race, a collision with a UFO broke his rudders. Despite his attempts to repair them, JP had to resign himself to stop the race. This year, the skipper from Nice is more determined than ever to shine in the 2012 Vendee Globe. This may very well be his last participation, since this man of challenges later intends to sail the oceans he loves so much on three hulls.
WINS AND PERFORMANCES
2012
Winner of the Trophée Azimut
Winner of the Europa Warm Up first leg
2011
Yachtsman of the year
Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (with J.Beyou)
Winner of the Barcelona World Race (with L.Peyron)
24h IMOCA 60’ distance Record (506.33 miles with L. Peyron)
2nd place in the Rolex Fastnet Race
2010
4th place in the Route du Rhum
2008
Winner of the Barcelona World Race (with D.Foxall)
2006
3rd place in the Route du Rhum
2005
Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (with L.Peyron)
6th place in the Vendée Globe
2003
Winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (with N.Abiven)
2001
Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile