Vendee Globe: Paprec-Virbac is being built in New Zealand

1:42 AM Sun 23 Aug 2009 GMT

'Jean-Pierre Dick onboard Paprec-Virbac 2' Vendee Globe 2008 &copy

Jean-Pierre Dick, who was forced to retire from the last Vend?e Globe after damage to his steering system, announced shortly after returning to France that he would be re-entering the solo round the world race aboard a new boat designed by Verdier/VPLP, the designers of Safran, considered to be one of, or maybe even the absolute best of the 60-foot boats from 2008.

Like her two predecessors, the third Paprec-Virbac, is being built in New Zealand and more precisely at Cookson's, the famous yard based in Auckland. Apart from their reputation, which has spread around the world in the marine sector, down under they also offer competitive prices, 'particularly at the moment as the exchange rate for the NZ dollar has fallen again,' explained Luc Talbourdet, friend and associate of Jean-Pierre Dick, who is at the head of Absolute Dreamer, a company, which is diversifying its activities.

Jean-Pierre Dick - Paprec-Virbac - ? Jean Marie Liot / DPPI / Vend?e Globe 2008 - Vendee Globe 2008 &copy

Construction of this new 60-foot boat is due to begin in the next few days (with her launch planned for next Spring) and there may be a second identical model, as was the case with Paprec-Virbac 2 and Gitana 80. They are also working on a fast 54-foot cruiser designed by Guillaume Verdier. Fitted with a canting keel, this boat, which should offer high speed travel from one point of the globe to another, is due to begin her sea trials in early 2010. Her build is being monitored by Luc Bartissol while the 60-foot boat project is being supervised by Nicolas Abiven, a skilled engineer and keen racer. Luc and Nicolas won the 2003 Transat Jacques Vabre. Absolute Dreamer intends to market this fine craft. Jean-Pierre and Luc's company also wants to support young talent and will therefore be accompanying Thomas Morvan in the Mini class, and indeed have found him a partner, the Financi?re de l'Echiquier company, and also Isabelle Joschke, the only woman in the Figaro and someone, who would also like to round the Horn one of these days alone.

While Luc is busy in the offices in Lorient and is drawing up a strategy with his two faithful partners Paprec and Virbac, and ten or so smaller firms, which also contribute to the development of the project at a time, when it is not very easy to find sponsors, Jean-Pierre has taken a few days off in Corsica before returning to his Vend?e Globe boat, which has been sold to a Spanish team. They will be meeting up in Istanbul where the round Europe sailing race, the Istanbul Europa Race, is due to start on 29th August. This is a crewed race: the two Spaniards, Pella and Ribes will be on board and will be learning how to handle the Farr designed machine as they make their way to Brest before they sail double-handed in the Transat Jacques Vabre this autumn. It does help a lot if you know how to handle these speed machines...

by Vendee Globe Media

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