Virbac Paprec på hodet

VIRBAC-PAPREC 70 capsized this afternoon during training with a view to participating in the Transat Jacques Vabre. Jean-Pierre Dick and Roland Jourdain were sailing in 15-20 knots of wind. They were surprised by a strong gust and were unable to prevent their multihull from overturning. The mast broke into 3 pieces.

Roland Jourdain was able to protect himself under the hard cap, while Jean-Pierre was ejected violently into the water. Initially the whole team informed everyone that they were safe and sound, but that Jean-Pierre was suffering from back pain.

In the end, the skipper was winched up by helicopter and taken to hospital in Lorient. He has been diagnosed with collapsed vertebrae and will be kept under observation for 2 days. The boat is being towed to Lorient as we write.

Jean-Pierre Dick: “I am still in shock. Everything happened so fast. I felt a strong gust hit us from behind. I gave the sheet traveller some slack, but probably not enough. Everything changed very quickly. I fell from a great height. I hit something and fell into the water. It was violent. Fortunately, I managed to get back on board very quickly. I quickly realized that my back hurt. We waited for the rescue teams feeling great sadness.”

Roland Jourdain: “We were sailing in a settled 15 knot wind, but it was irregular with gusts of 18-20 knots. The conditions were workable. Suddenly, there was a gust that was stronger than the others. The boat lifted and lifted. It stayed stationary for a few interminable seconds. I eased out the solent jib. We thought we were going to fall on the right side, and well no, the boat capsized. I was very frightened for Jean-Pierre. It is the first time that I have capsized. I am shaken.”

- See more at: http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2013/10/10/virbac-paprec-70-capsized-belle-ile/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Scuttlebutt+3942&utm_content=Scuttlebutt+3942+CID_aaaf50a7abd9830b60fc29fddf14daae&utm_source=Email%20Newsletter&utm_term=VIRBAC-PAPREC%2070%20has%20capsized%20off%20Belle%20Ile#sthash.2MSw0X1W.dpuf MOD 70 trimaranen «VIRBAC-PAPREC 70» kullseilte igår utenfor Belle Isle under trening før Transat Jacques Vabre seilasen som starter om kort tid. Jean-Pierre Dick og Roland Jourdain seilte i 15-20 knops vind og hadde full kontroll da båten ble truffet av et kraftig vindkast. Kullseiling var uungåelig og masten brakk på tre steder. Båten er nå under slep til Lorient.

Roland Jourdain klarte å beskytte seg under kappen i forkant av cockpit, mens Jean-Pierre ble slengt i vannet med stor kraft. Han har nå konstatert ribbensbrudd og vil bli holdt til obesrvasjon på sykehuset i Lorient i et par dager.

- Jeg er fremdeles i sjokk, sa Jean-Pierre Dick etter uhellet. - Alt hendte så fort. Plutselig kjente jeg at et vindkast traff oss aktenfra. Jeg slapp ut på løygangen, men trolig ikke nok. Jeg ble slengt i vannet fra stor høyde. På veien traff jeg ett eller annet og fikk en kraftig smell, men først da jeg var i sikkerhet tilbake på båten kjente jeg smerter i ryggen. Mens vi ventet på å bli reddet ble vi overmannet av en utrolig tristhet, sa Dick.

- Vi seilte in 15 knops vind med 18-20 knop i kastene, sa Roland Jourdan, tidligere skipper på egen MOD70, «Veolia». - Seilingen var under kontroll, men plutselig kom et vindkast som var kraftigere enn de andre. Lo skrog tok av og jeg slapp fokkeskjøtet. Det hjalp lite. Jeg var svært bekymtet for hvordan det skulle på med Jean-Pierre, men han kom seg heldigvis tilbake i båten. Det er første gang jeg har kullseilt og jeg må innrømme at jeg er temmelig rystet, sa den svært erfarne Roland Jourdain: