2005 Annual report - Virbac

21
2005 palms:
a double victory
and a record
The seventh Transat Jacques Vabre was devoted to the duo
of Jean Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron. On 18 November
2005, Virbac-Paprec passed the finishing line in Salvador
de Bahia, Brazil taking the first step onto the podium
in the 60-foot (20 metre) monohull category. Having left
le Havre on 5 November, Virbac-Paprec took precisely
13 days 9 hours 19 minutes and 2 seconds to cover
the 4,500 miles (8,000 km) separating le Havre and
Salvador de Bahia.
Despite an eventful
Start: Le Havre
start in what were very
dangerous wind and
sea conditions, the
two sailors quickly
took the lead and held
it almost throughout
the race. They were
closely followed by the
Anglo-French pairing
of Roland Jourdain -
Ellen MacArthur:
End: Salvador de Bahia
so there was no room
for any letup by
Jean-Pierre Dick and Loïck Peyron. The pace was
sustained by the two sailors who took turns on the tiller
day and night. The closing stage became a sprint
between the two teams. Finally, thanks to tactical
manoeuvres, Virbac-Paprec finished 35 minutes in front
of Sill & Veolia.
This victory should spur on the skipper for the Route du
Rhum (November 2007) and the next Vendée Globe (2008),
the two legendary competitions in the world of solo
sailing.
Interview
Doctor Pascal Anjot, Doctor of veterinary medicine
since 1985, works in Les Herbiers (Vendée) in
a veterinary association specialized in industrial
breeding (poultry, rabbits, calves).
How did you meet Jean-Pierre Dick
“I met Jean-Pierre when he was Director of Avitec, a Virbac
subsidiary, specialised in products in our line of work. He used to
visit us and I was always impressed by his very friendly nature.
It was rather unusual at the time between a customer and a
supplier.”
Do you regularly follow the races
“I’m not a sailor but I follow the big races. I’m more interested
in the man. I followed his victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre.
It was great for him because a double is never easy.”
Were you there at the start of the race How did you feel
“I was at the end of the Vendée Globe. There were 150 vets.
Waiting at the finishing line, I felt great solidarity within the
profession. When we saw him at the press conference and the
meal that night, I was impressed at how easy it was to talk to
him and how down to earth he was. That was a great moment,
full of emotion and admiration for his willpower and his
openness.”
“For veterinarians,
Jean-Pierre Dick provides
a humane and upright image”
What does his involvement in sailing mean for you
And for the veterinary profession
“For him, the goal is to provide Virbac with the traits and skills
of a sailor.
He provides real added value to the Virbac Group. Specifically,
when you go to Carros (head office of the Virbac Group) or
when you meet a company employee in the field, you get the
feeling of a sense of pride at Virbac and real motivation
internally. For veterinarians, he provides a humane and upright
image. ”
In your view, how can being a veterinarian help in being a sailor
“I can see very strong similarities. Our training is very useful and
we particularly saw it in the Vendée Globe. You need to be able
to analyse situations, sum them up, take decisions and adapt.”
What message would you like to send to Jean-Pierre for
the upcoming Rum Race
“Not to feel any pressure and believe in himself just like everyone
believes in him.”