by Anne-Charlotte Meyer
After 10 years of single and double-handed sailing, Jean-Pierre Dick is taking on a new challenge with his VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 multihull. He is now the leader of a “top-flight” team. They come from the Vendée Globe, America's Cup, the Jules Verne Trophy, and from sailing on one hull as well as three. They are called Roland, Vincent, Thierry (x2), Fred (x2) and Guillaume. “We have a very skilled and friendly crew! We take pleasure in sailing together and sharing our various seafaring experiences”, stressed the enthusiastic skipper during the first training sessions off Lorient. VIRBAC-PAPREC sailing team's objective is to learn quickly so as to be competitive in next Tour of Europe in June.
Jean-Pierre Dick – skipper – aged 47
“For this new challenge, I chose a friendly team with a variety of skills. They all have many miles under their belt and wide experience of offshore racing. The goal is to work together cheerfully and conscientiously to perform well quickly.”
Roland Jourdain - watch leader – aged 48
“It's a good crop, a great choice from Jean-Pierre. We have a very uniform crew. We have work ahead to create this team “choreography” and reach the level of our competitors who sailed a season last year.”
Vincent Riou – watch leader – aged 41
“I think the crew JP has got together is really good. There is a lot of expertise in terms of offshore racing, not to mention the friendly human aspect. There's real cohesion and a real desire to fight together.”
Thierry Duprey Du Vorsent – boat captain and No.1 – aged 43
“This is a completely new project. Everything must be built up and organized. It's fascinating! It's a great challenge both in racing and technical terms. We have many things to share.”
Fred Guilmin - tactician and helm - aged 41
“A new adventure is beginning for me! The crew is really good. The sailing sessions we have had together have gone very well. I am confident in the future.”
Thierry Douillard – trimmer and helm – aged 40
“It is always interesting to be there at the start of a project and to make one's contribution in achieving a goal.”
Guillaume Le Brec - No. 1 and performer – aged 33
“My involvement in Jean-Pierre Dick's project continues. I joined the crew to take care of performance among other things. It's going to be a wonderful experience!”
“Offshore*” races are sailed with a crew of 6. “Inshore**” races with a crew of 8. JP and his 6 crew members will take turns in the various offshore races*. Fred Lemaistre will complete the crew on offshore races by the day**.
Learn more about the crew on: www.jpdick.com
Calendar 2013:
• Grand Prix Guyader (3 to 6 May 2013): crewed race in Douarnenez (http://www.grandprixguyader.
• Armen Race (9 to 12 May 2013): Offshore race starting from La Trinité-sur-Mer (http://www.armenrace.fr/ )
• Route des Princes (9 to 30 June 2013): Crewed race round Europe (5 legs: Valencia - Lisbon - Dublin - Plymouth - Morlaix) (http://www.routedesprinces.
• Transat Jacques Vabre - starting 3 November 2013 - Double-handed transatlantic race between Le Havre and Itajai (Brazil)
(http://www.transat-jacques-
Calendar 2013:
• Grand Prix Guyader (3 to 6 May 2013): crewed race in Douarnenez (http://www.grandprixguyader.
• Armen Race (9 to 12 May 2013): Offshore race starting from La Trinité-sur-Mer (http://www.armenrace.fr/ )
• Route des Princes (9 to 30 June 2013): Crewed race round Europe (5 legs: Valencia - Lisbon - Dublin - Plymouth - Morlaix) (http://www.routedesprinces.
• Transat Jacques Vabre - starting 3 November 2013 - Double-handed transatlantic race between Le Havre and Itajai (Brazil)
(http://www.transat-jacques-
Jean-Pierre Dick
