Son Sam and father Andrew Hall of Pwllheli won the ISORA 2025 Championship at the final hurdle in September with their Lombard 46 Pata Negra. But for the RORC East-West Transatlantic Race 2026, they put their hopes on their attractive vintage J/125 down-wind sled Jackknife, perhaps reckoning it was a case of horses for courses in hopefully brisk Trade Winds from aft of the beam. Whatever the reason, it paid off, as Jackknife in Antigua was twice on the podium, as Class Winner and Third Overall.
Sam & Andrew Hall of Pwllheli are “Sailors of the Month (Ocean Racing)” for January
About The Author
Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
Have you got a story for our reporters? Email us here.
We've got a favour to ask
More people are reading Afloat.ie than ever thanks to the power of the internet but we're in stormy seas because advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news sites, we haven't put up a paywall because we want to keep our marine journalism open.
Afloat.ie is Ireland's only full-time marine journalism team and it takes time, money and hard work to produce our content.
So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
If everyone chipped in, we can enhance our coverage and our future would be more secure. You can help us through a small donation. Thank you.

















































