Mediterranean sailor Jean Pierre Dick, who won last year's Transat Jacques Vabre, arrived in Plymouth last Saturday aboard Virbac the Farr-designed Open 60.
Having won the TJV, Dick had high hopes of success in last year's Le Defi Atlantique (the return race across the Atlantic) but his fortunes changed when he was dismasted off the Cape Verde Islands. Despite struggling to reach the finish line under jury rig, he was out of the race time limit and was deemed DNF. This was a huge knockdown for Dick who was relying on this race to qualify for the Vendee Globe. Talking about the mast failure in Le Defi Atlantique Dick said: "At the time I was devastated. The pin that holds the standing rigging (D1) detached itself, this combined with a problem I had with the boom escalated and with so much force on the rigging the mast eventually failed. Once I'd recovered from the initial disappointment however, I set about building a jury rig - something I've had no experience with - and succeeded in what I set out to do; cross the line. Unfortunately it was a bit too late."
Like many of the sailors here in Plymouth, The Transat is the last chance for qualification for Vendee Globe and, although the aim is to do well, the priority is to finish. Dick added: "This race is very important for me and I will do nothing to prevent me finishing. If I have a choice to make, I'll take the safe option."
Dick's boat, designed by Farr specifically for the Vendee Globe under the IMOCA rules, has an interesting layout with one of the most unique features the under-deck tunnel for control lines. Based on ideas from smaller keelboats and dinghies, most of the major control lines are led aft from the mast to the cockpit to a cleat station under the cuddy. Not only does it keep the boat neat and tidy with the decks free from control lines it makes the boat much easier to sail single-handedly.
Another interesting idea, spotted on Dick's boat, is the kick-up rudder system. While this is not particularly unique on these sorts of boats, the way in which they are mounted is fairly unusual. Instead of the more common transom-hung rudders, Dick's rudders are positioned under the hull with the trailing edge of the rudder flush with the line of the transom. According to Dick positioning the rudder under the hull makes them aerodynamically more efficient.
Looking ahead to the race which starts this Monday conditions are going to be tough with 30-40kt headwinds from the west. Fortunately for Dick Virbac has more than proved herself upwind so unless the wind conditions change dramatically there's nothing to stop Virbac taking a leading role off the startline. Having said that however, Dick is well aware of what lies ahead and is not taking anything for granted. Commenting on the race he concluded: "The Transat is a difficult race with a lot of obstacles to overcome including icebergs and the Gulf Stream. The first part of the race will be spent concentrating and managing the depressions around the island. Then you have to manage the anticyclonic area in the middle and then finish the race. It's going to be a tough one but it's also going to be fun. I'm really looking forward to getting out there."
Yachting World, 27 May 2004
