"A spiritual journey" for Jean-Pierre Dick
by Anne-Charlotte Meyer 6 Nov 2012 07:41 GMT
6 November 2012
Jean-Pierre Dick on Virbac-Paprec 3 ahead of the Vendée Globe © JM Liot / DPPI / Virbac Paprec Sailing Team
Four days from the start of the Vendée Globe, Jean-Pierre Dick reconsiders his motives and goals for his third time taking part in this single-handed round-the-world. Next Saturday, JP will be at the starting line of this Holy Grail of Ocean races on board Virbac-Paprec 3. Beyond the competition and adventure this race represents, the skipper-cum-vet is also here in search of "osmosis with nature".
Why a third participation in the Vendée Globe?
JP: "To be back in this Vendée Globe race again is important to me. It will be kind of getting my own back. During the last race, I was forced to retire due to a problem related to broken material, even though I had had a good start in the race and was sailing up front. The disappointment was huge, and such was the frustration when I retired that I decided in the back of my mind not to leave it at that. I already knew that I would set off again four years later and that I would take the necessary steps to complete the work interrupted because of this accident. And here I am again with a new boat. Virbac-Paprec 3 is the world champion and holds the 24-hour distance record in the IMOCA 60 class. So it has proved its worth and shown its potential."
The age of maturity?
JP: "Since I last took part in this legendary race, I have gained in experience, and added two fine wins to my record of achievements. I have also worked very hard on myself, preparing physically and mentally. I swim practically every morning both as part of my training and to relax. I am tackling this Vendée Globe in a different way to my earlier ones."
What are your goals for your last Vendée Globe?
JP: "For my first Vendée Globe, my goal was to take part and do well. The primary goal was to complete the race, without any real ambition with regard to the ranking. More than ten years have passed. I am setting off on my third Vendée Globe, and, of course, my goals have changed considerably. This time, I intend to compete with the best. I am leaving with the goal of winning at best, and being on the podium at least!"
Do you suffer from solitude at sea?
JP: "I like to find myself face to face with myself, responsible and focussed on a clear objective. It is an interesting spiritual journey that I enjoy. I discover myself and learn to handle possible conflicts between my impulses, which can incite me to take risks, and wisdom, which helps me temper my excessive drive. You need to find a balance between the two sides of your personality, the reckless and the rational, and master complete self-control, to be the most efficient at sea."
What attracts you in this adventure?
JP: "It is also man's experience within the natural environment that attracts me. Faced with the elements for nearly three months, you reach a kind of osmosis with nature. You manage to live according to the sun, to adapt your life to cold and warm temperatures, to reinvent the rhythms of day and night, and you rediscover natural relationships with animals. For me, this is a false solitude, since animals and nature keep us company. Human contacts are no longer what govern our lives, but other forms of company. We are never really alone."
www.jpdick.com