Earlier this month Barry was in Newport, Rhode Island, commissioning sails aboard the new J121 “Jackhammer”.
Owned and campaigned by ISORA and Ocean Racing veteran Andrew Hall – “Jackhammer” has an extensive programme planned for her first year having just been released from the J Boat yard in Rhode Island after an extensive IRC optimisation fit out – starting with June’s Newport to Bermuda race.
Barry was joined by Andrew and his crew for three days of fitting, sailing, and testing in Newport. Sam Hall kindly provided some excellent drone footage of the superb sailing conditions in Newport – although the sun does not quite reflect the ambient temperature of an early April Newport!
“We have been working hard on this project for many months this winter” – explains Barry – “We are very excited to see ‘Jackhammer’ in the water and out sailing. Andrew has put a lot of work into this project and we are delighted to be involved. The UK Sailmakers goal was to provide a turnkey sail package for Andrew. He was able to step aboard, throw off the lines, and go fast straight away – goal achieved”
Jackhammer was built in the US, the sails were designed in Ireland, built in the UK Sailmakers production facility in Hong Kong, and then fitted and tested in Newport – such is the global reach and expertise of the UK Sailmakers Group.
