Irish Sailing Performance Teams Benefit from Expert Session with Barry Hayes of UK Sailmakers
Our Performance and Development squads recently had the privilege of welcoming Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers for an in-depth session at Performance HQ. Barry spent the day working closely with the teams, sharing his extensive expertise on all aspects of sail design, selection, and setup.
His deep technical knowledge and attention to detail provided invaluable insights for our sailors, helping them better understand how to optimise their sail choices and rig configurations. Barry conveyed complex concepts in an accessible manner, offering practical advice on achieving greater boat speed through both fundamental principles and subtle, crew-specific adjustments.
UK Sailmakers also introduced the squads to their cutting-edge technology, including live camera analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These tools allow for real-time assessment of sail shape and rig performance, enabling sailors to validate whether specific changes enhance overall efficiency and speed.
“Barry has a deep and clear knowledge of sails and flow dynamics, which is essential for identifying performance gains,” said Rory Fitzpatrick, Technical Director of Irish Sailing. “Combined with his meticulous approach to materials and setup, it provides a strong foundation for achieving a high-performance rig.”
UK Sailmakers continue to be a valued partner of the Irish Sailing Performance programme. In support of our most recent Olympic campaign, they supplied official team kit bags for the Paris Games, featuring a custom design inspired by the colours of the Olympic rings.