Henri-Lloyd supports Jazz Turner in record Round Britain sailing challenge
by Henri-Lloyd 20 May 09:00 BST
Henri-Lloyd supports GBR para-athlete Jazz Turner in record Round Britain sailing challenge © Tom Pilston
GBR para-athlete Jazz Turner overcomes fears in attempt to break record for first disabled person to sail around Great Britain
For a young woman with multiple and complex health issues, Jazz Turner is remarkable calm as she faces her imminent departure on her around Great Britain sailing challenge.
Supported by Henri-Lloyd as her Technical Clothing Partner, Jazz will depart from Brighton Marine on 2nd June 2025 in an attempt to break three records as the first disabled person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Great Britain.
Her Albin Vega 27-foot yacht is aptly named FEAR - which could mean "Forget Everything and Run" but to Jazz this name inspires her to "Face Everything and Rise". The yacht, with its colourful mermaid-design wrap, is where Jazz finds freedom thanks to the adaptions she has made because on land she has to use a wheelchair - a result of her genetic hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
"Sailing is the easy part," she says. "Managing my health, nutrition and well-being is the hard part."
Her disabilities mean that Jazz is unable to consume large quantities of food or drink at any one time and she has to maintain a good regime of nutrition to ensure her body receives the calories required to cope with the exertions the sailing will put on her. In addition, with restricted mobility and with her body unable to regulate its temperature, having the right clothing on board is essential.
Since becoming an ambassador for Henri-Lloyd and in preparation for her challenge, Jazz has been testing out the best sailing apparel for her needs. "My absolute go-to favourite is the SmartTherm jacket," she says.
"My body temperature is constantly fluctuating, going from hot to cold, to hot again in a matter of seconds. Because of my lack of mobility, I also need to have flexible and lightweight clothing, but which is totally wind and rain-proof, so the new Dynamic Salopettes are ideal for me. The fact they are so light and pack up really small is also an advantage."
Flexibility is essential for Jazz, as she has to change her clothing frequently by adding or removing layers to suit her body's needs. She says the Dri Fast Tees make the best base layers as they stay odour-free but can also be washed and dried quickly on board.
Depending on the weather forecast, Jazz plans to depart from Brighton Marina, heading clockwise around the coast. Whilst her sights are set on breaking all three records, she is pragmatic that her health might dictate her progress. "If I am forced to stop for health reasons, then I aim to remain unassisted," she says, "and then I can still achieve the two records of sailing solo and unassisted around Britain."
projectfear.uk / www.henrilloyd.com