The recently launched JPK 11.80 “Atomic Blonde” made by JPK Pacific for Dr Simon Torvaldsen with Sailing Master Larry Jamieson will present at the start line for the 2023 Hobart.
It was the JPK French Founder and Master Mariner Jean Pierre Kelbert that had an ambition to compete in the Hobart in 2015 and his entry the JPK 10.80 “Courier Leon” came close to achieving his ambition with a 2nd Overall for the Tattersall’s Cup.
JPK Pacific’s ambition is to boost the “Australian Made” boat -building sector by manufacturing a globally successful yacht in Australia. The amazing results achieved in Europe & the UK by the JPK 11.80’s is the outcome. The Hobart Race has not featured an Australian Made racer for some time and hopefully the JPK’s will lead the way.
The JPK 11.80’s are a composite IRC handicap racer with a comprehensive record of success including the Fastnet and Middle Sea race. JPK Pacific has delivered two 11.80’s during 2023 from their “Made in Australia” Nowra base.
“Atomic Blonde” features moderate chines and Carbon Rigging with upwind performance in the mid 8’s and planning downwind around 18 ‘s. Larry Jamieson said “ With Tiller steering its very well balanced and surprisingly easy to sail- really enjoyable and very competitive sailing”.
As a Performance Cruiser / Racer the Crew comforts such as an Oven and Fridge will boost morale during the challenging Hobart race.
Dr Simon said, “ JPK Pacific have built a great boat and with my knowledge of the JPK’s they sail well in all conditions but like everyone we rely on crew performance and the Weather Gods for a fair share of our optimum conditions. The crew will be supplemented with 2 specialist JPK 11.80 yachtsmen from Europe arriving for the race.”
JPK’s are taking off in the Australian market and the 2023 Hobart also includes, Christopher Opielok’s JPK 10.80 “Rockall 8” and in the 2H division Jiang Lin’s JPK 10.30 “Min River”.
Paul Glynn
www.jpkpacific.com
