After 15 years on the IMOCA circuit, marked by some fine victories (3 Transat Jacques Vabre, Tour de France à la voile...), Jean-Pierre Dick has decided to leave the helm of his IMOCA Saint-Michel Virbac in the hands of Yann Eliès. The sailor from Briochin will be taking over the blue and yellow 60-foot boat in 2018, with a view to taking part in the 2020 Vendée Globe.
Yann Eliès will be supported by the pool of partners in Nice. Together, the two sailors are also looking for a new title partner to replace Virbac. Jean-Pierre Dick's sponsor has decided to stop sponsoring sailing, as the partnership concluded 17 years ago by the animal health laboratory with Jean-Pierre Dick, a veterinary surgeon by training, is due to expire at the end of 2017.
"My goal is to win the 2020 Vendée Globe. With this in mind, it seemed natural to me to get closer to Jean-Pierre's team. We've already worked together and it's working well (Jean-Pierre had entrusted the helm of the Paprec Recyclage trimaran to Yann for the Route du Rhum 2014). This is confirmed in the preparation for the Transat Jacques Vabre. I'd like to thank JP for the confidence he has in me for what lies ahead. We have the boat, the team and the know-how. From now on, we have a major challenge to take up on our route: finding the title partner to carry out this superb project."
©Y.Zedda/StMichel-Virbac
Jean-Pierre Dick intends to continue sailing, but on other supports. He will also do everything possible to build a winning project for Yann Elies within his ocean racing team, Absolute Dreamer.
"It's a turning point in my life as a sailor and I'm pleased to hand over the helm of my Imoca to Yann, a very talented skipper, who can win the 2020 Vendée Globe. Concerning Virbac, it's a very intense feeling of pride that drives me. 17 years of partnership, thousands of customers and staff involved in this project, 6 victories, 5 boats built, 6 round the world races, 5 of which were completed, 4 Vendée Globe, 1 Imoca World Champion title and 1 Sailor of the Year title make this story a very beautiful page in my life!" details the skipper of Saint-Michel Virbac.
Jean-Pierre Dick's list of achievements in brief
- Triple winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre: in 2011 (with Jérémie Bayou), in 2005 (with Loïck Peyron), in 2003 (with Nicolas Abiven)
- Double winner of the Barcelona World Race: in 2007-08 (with Damian Foxall), in 2010-11 (with Loïck Peyron)
- 4 participations in the Vendée Globe: 4th in 2016-17, 4th in 2012-13 after covering 2643 miles without a keel, retiring in 2008, 6th in 2004-05
- JP elected sailor of the year in 2011
- Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile in 2001
