Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing Sailors
Sailfaster is the go-to podcast for competitive sailors who want to improve their racing performance. Host Pete Boland interviews top sailors about their beginnings, race strategies, tactics, and crew management. Listeners gain insights into pre-race preparation and how to sail faster than the competition. Each episode shares practical tips and stories from experienced racers.
Episodes
Steve Hunt Part 2: How the Best Sailors Keep It Simple!
In Part Two of our conversation with three-time world champion Steve Hunt, we go deep into the tactical decisions that separate good sailors from great ones. Steve starts with a deceptively simple idea: keep it simple. Sail in more wind. Sail towards the mark. But then he takes us deep inside the decision-making process of a world-class tactician. We're pretty much aboard the race boat
Steve Hunt on The Racing Fundamentals That Never Stop Working (Part 1)
In Part 1 of our latest conversation with three-time Etchells World Champion Steve Hunt, we discuss racing fundamentals that work at every racing level. Why is sailing in more wind rule number one? When should you prioritize pressure over shifts? And why does sailing towards the mark solve so many tactical problems? Steve also shares a simple way to recover from a bad start — and explains
Cascadia Sailing: Building a Race-Ready Team, with Joy Dahlgren & Chris Wolfe
What happens when 11 sailors who’ve never raced together take on one of the world’s top women’s one-design regattas? You buy the only IC37 on the West Coast and start practicing.Pete talks with Cascadia Sailing’s Joy Dahlgren and Chris Wolfe about building a battle-ready Canadian-American team for the New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship. They talk teamwork, offshore les
How to Sail Faster—Whatever Your Boat's Rating
Racing under handicap can feel frustrating—but is your rating really the problem? After joining the J/105 Javelin for the IRC Europeans, I came away convinced that the best teams don't spend their weekends complaining about the rule. They focus on preparation, communication, boat handling and relentless improvement. Drawing on conversations with owner Richard Newsom and navigator Tony O
Beneteau First Series and the "Effortless Joy of Planing"
Modern sailboats have evolved dramatically—but has yacht racing kept up? In this episode of Sailfaster, Pete talks with Andraž Mihelin, co-founder of Seascape and the force behind the Beneteau First range, and offshore racer Charles-Etienne Devanneaux. Together they explore why today's boats are faster, lighter and easier to sail, yet racing often remains rooted in another era. They disc
What It Takes to Race a 50-Foot Performance Catamaran - With Tom Kassberg
Tom Kassberg's the owner of Malolo, one of the fastest performance cruising catamarans in the world, with victories in the ARC and class honours at the Caribbean 600. In this episode, Tom joins Pete to unpack how he built a championship offshore racing program from the ground up—from choosing the right platform and assembling an elite crew to developing boat-specific performance data and
Tom Slingsby: Decision-Making At 80 KPH!
Olympic gold medallist, America’s Cup winner and SailGP superstar Tom Slingsby joins Sailfaster from San Francisco airport for a fascinating deep dive into what it takes to perform at the highest level of sailing. From surviving one of the toughest and most dramatic SailGP race days of his career to the mindset shifts that helped him overcome Olympic heartbreak and become a world champion
Spite Sailing: Building an Offshore Racing Pathway for Women
Offshore racing has long been seen as one of sailing's toughest frontiers—physically demanding, technically complex, and historically dominated by men. But Emma Rosenbaum and Marianna Fleischman of Spite Sailing are working to change that.In this episode of SailFaster, we dive into the story behind their women-led offshore racing campaign, their journey into short-handed sailing, and thei
How Technology Has Changed Starts Forever — with Todd Wilson
GPS-based starting systems are changing sailboat racing — whether sailors like it or not. In this episode, Pete Boland talks to Todd Wilson, co-founder of Vakaros, about how RaceSense and modern GPS technology are transforming starts, protests, race management, and training.(Note this is NOT a sponsored episode!)Todd explains why even elite sailors struggle to ping a line accurately, how
From On The Rocks To On The Transat Start Line...Ambre Hasson's Journey
Ambre Hasson went from learning to sail in 2020 to completing the Mini Transat just five years later. In this episode, she shares her rapid rise into offshore racing, including losing her first boat during qualification and rebuilding her campaign from scratch.She discusses resilience, managing fear, and key performance ideas like pacing, pushing to the “friction point,” and preserving th
North U's Performance Race Week: Starts, speed and decision-making from St Thomas in the USVI!
Kristen Berry kindly invited me to take part in North U / American Sailing’s Performance Race Week in St Thomas this February; this collaborative episode is a detailed debrief of that programme. We unpack the structure of the week, the coaching approach, the type of sailors who benefit, and the key performance insights—from start sequence execution and acceleration mechanics to decision-m
Lara Dallman Weiss on Starts, Downwind Speed & Staying Calm Under Pressure
Olympian and performance coach Lara Dallman Weiss joins Sailfaster to unpack what actually makes boats go faster—and it’s not just technique.From her background in Olympic 470 racing to keelboat campaigns and coaching, Lara shares a holistic view of performance that blends decision-making, teamwork, communication and mindset. At the core is a simple idea: sailing is constant problem-solvi
Talk Like Champions: Onboard Communication with Morgan Trubovich (Part 2)
in Part 2 of our discussion, Morgan “Truby” Trubovich returns to finish his deep dive on what actually wins races: process, communication, and smart feedback. He explains when results do matter, why elite teams talk like air-traffic control, and how onboard audio/video accelerates learning—often with audio proving more valuable than the camera. So much to learn from the Kiwi legend!
Process Over Results: The Playbook Every Racing Sailor Needs with Morgan Trubovich (Part 1)
I was lucky enough to sit down with Morgan Trubovich—better known as “Truby”—one of the most quietly dominant sailors in the sport. Across a career spanning 19 world championships, America’s Cup victories, major offshore wins, and elite one-design racing, Truby has developed a philosophy that consistently produces top-tier results across any class, crew, or campaign.Over two episodes, he
What racers can learn from Junior racing sailors!
This week on SailFaster, we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the sport: junior sailing—not as childcare, not as summer camp, but as a high-performance pipeline that can transform an entire racing community.Host Pete Boland sits down with Madde Vachon and Travis Carlisle of Annapolis’ Severn Sailing Association to reveal what really happens inside a modern junior program.
Sailing Faster, the Ocean Racing Way with Will Harris
We’re joined by professional offshore sailor and fellow Brit, Will Harris, one of the most interesting figures in modern ocean racing. From the Solitaire du Figaro to IMOCA 60s and The Ocean Race, Will shares what life really looks like at the top end of the sport.Now based in Lorient, France — the epicentre of offshore sailing — Will explains why today’s ocean racers must be true all-rou
Calm in the Chaos: Sailing Fitness Beyond Strength
Today we speak with renowned sailing fitness coach Harry Legum, founder of Annapolis Sailing Fitness and a pioneer of sailing-specific physical training. With decades of experience working with everyone from club racers to Olympic gold medallists and America’s Cup teams, Harry explains why effective sailing fitness goes far beyond strength, focusing instead on movement quality, balance, a
Sailing Fast in the Melges 15 & VX One: Chris Alexander’s Playbook
Chris Alexander is one of the most consistently dominant one-design sailors in the U.S., with major wins across the VX One and Melges 15 fleets. But his success isn’t built on talent alone — it’s rooted in deep understanding, curiosity, and an ability to stay ahead of the learning curve.In this episode of Sail Faster, Chris breaks down how feel, rig tune, and mindset intersect to create r
Engineering Speed: How Angelo Guarino Climbed the Fleet
My guest today is my good friend Angelo Guarino — aeronautical engineer, US Sailing Regional Judge, J/105 sailor, and one of the most analytical, hard-working racers in Annapolis. Angelo didn’t grow up sailing. He started racing in his 30s, got hooked instantly, and has spent the years since climbing steadily up a fiercely competitive one-design fleet. In this episode we talk about:How h
SailTalks: The Virtual Chalk Talk with Odey Hariri
in this quick episode, racing sailor and engineering student Odey Hariri joins Pete to share the story behind SailTalks, the new digital whiteboard that’s transforming how sailors learn, coach, collaborate, and even present protests. Inspired by the classic magnetic model-boat boards, SailTalks brings all the same clarity — but with animations, saved lessons, collaborative editing, and th
The Fast Track: Training, Tactics & Regatta Choices with John Loe
In this episode, I’m joined by multi-time champion John Loe, a standout Star and J/70 racer, for a candid look at how top sailors choose events, prepare for them, and keep getting faster.John explains how he targets the right regattas, builds focused training blocks, and uses intensive skill work—like expert-led downwind training—to unlock real gains. He shares how to develop a crew that
Precision Under Pressure: Inside the Mind of a Champion Navigator
TP52 World Champion navigator Sara Stone returns to SailFaster to unpack the art and science of high-performance racing. From navigating Quantum Racing / American Magic TP52 to leading teams through intense offshore and inshore campaigns, Sara shares how precision, calm, and communication drive results. She talks mental performance, leadership, and how to make smart decisions under pressu
Think Faster, Sail Faster. Brian Swingly on How Mental Performance Wins Races
Today we're talking to Brian Swingly, a mental performance and executive coach who specializes in helping sailors and high-performing teams enhance their focus, resilience, and decision-making skills. Brian shares insights from his own sailing journey, the importance of mindset in competitive sailing, and how effective communication can improve team dynamics. He discusses common mental ba
Next Generation Offshore: Kelly Holthus and the Transpac
Pete sits down with Kelly Holthus, a junior at Tulane University, All-American sailor, and veteran of five Transpac races aboard BadPak, skippered by his father Tom Holthus. Kelly shares what it’s like growing up in a California sailing family, the lessons he’s taken from college racing, and how he helped organize a youth-driven crew for the 2023 Transpac.From flying spinnakers just 31 ho
Precision and Preparation: Racing Offshore with Allegiant
Bert and Marilyn Busser, the husband-and-wife team behind the J/42 Allegiant, share what it takes to compete in some of the toughest offshore races on the East Coast—from Annapolis to Newport to Marblehead to Halifax. In this conversation, they open up about the highs and lows of racing, the endurance and mindset needed for multi-day passages, and how they prepare their boat and crew year
Racing to the Edge with Charlie Enright
What does it take to win The Ocean Race and then step up to lead U.S. Sailing? In this episode, we talk with offshore legend Charlie Enright — skipper of 11th Hour Racing Team, the first American crew ever to win the race.Charlie shares how his obsession with sailing carried him from dinghies on Narragansett Bay to the gales of the Southern Ocean. He reflects on lessons of endurance, trus
Mind Over Waves: Sweta Shervegar on Racing and Mental Preparation
In this episode of Sailfaster, we’re joined by Sweta Shervegar — one of India’s most accomplished sailors and a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Games in the 49erFX. Sweta shares her journey from starting out with the Sea Cadets to competing on the international stage, and how she balances her life as both a professional sailor and a medical doctor. At the heart of our conversation is th
Small Boats, Big Passion – Radio-Controlled Racing with Len Bose & Dan Shier
In this episode of Sailfaster, we delve into the fast-paced and surprisingly sophisticated world of radio-controlled yacht racing. Our guests, Len Bose and Dan Shier, give us a guided tour of the sport and the dedicated community keeping this unique branch of the sport alive and well. We discuss how these miniature craft deliver all the tactical intrigue of their full-sized cousins, the p
Precision Racing: Steve Hunt & Morgan Trubovich Talk Vakaros RaceSense!
In this episode of SailFaster, Pete Boland talks with Vakaros Events Director Doug Wake about how RaceSense is transforming race starts with GPS precision and automatic OCS calls—no pinging needed. Top sailors Steve Hunt and Morgan Trubovich share how the system boosts confidence, reduces risk, and helps teams train smarter by removing guesswork. Already used in elite fleets like the TP52
Sailfaster Experts on Nailing the Windward Rounding
We’re back from an extended break with a fresh run of Sailfaster episodes—and we’re kicking things off with something a little different. This special compilation brings together insights from five of the sharpest minds in the sport: Luke Lawrence, Tom Burnham, Kristen Robinson, Scott Nixon, and Steph Roble. Together, they break down one of the most decisive moments on the racecourse: th
Around the Race Course with Luke Lawrence
Here's the second part of my chat with Luke Lawrence, in which we dive into a masterclass on racecourse strategy and mindset. We began with Luke's thoughts on a systems-based approach to improvement and ended with a deep discussion on upwind strategy options, successfully rounding the upwind mark and then downwind strategy and tactics. As always, he's an excellent coach and an entertain
Passing the Mic (and the Tiller): A Sailfaster Father’s Day Special
This episode is a little different… and, I admit, a little self-indulgent.To mark Father’s Day, I’ve handed over the mic to a special guest: my son Jamie. He turns the tables and interviews me — about sailing, podcasting, and whatever else he felt like asking on the day. We talk about what I've learned from 50 episodes, as well as looking back to teaching windsurfing on Greek beaches whi
Luke Lawrence: Racing Hard, Resetting Life — A Racer's Story of Recovery
In this powerful in-person conversation, professional sailor Luke Lawrence returns to Sailfaster to share his extraordinary journey — from burnout to balance, and from racing hard to racing smart. Speaking from Pete’s dining room in Washington, D.C., Luke opens up about the mindset, mechanics, and mental resilience required at the top levels of the sport.We talk about:How Luke learned to
Inside the Boatshop: Patrick Wilson on Raceboat Prep and Pursuing Perfection
Here’s part two of my chat with J70 expert Patrick Wilson, in which, we dive into the craft of raceboat preparation. Known for his sharp eye and hands-on approach, Patrick shares how a childhood fascination with boat repair led to launching Next Level Boatworks, one of the top one-design prep shops in the U.S.We talk about keel work, sanding secrets, the quirks of J/70 production, and why
Patrick Wilson on Trimming, Teamwork, and What Really Wins Races!
Today’s guest is one of the most quietly influential sailors on the J/70 circuit—Patrick Wilson. Whether it’s Midwinters, North Americans, or the Bacardi series, if you’ve been following top-tier J/70 racing over the last few years, chances are you’ve seen Patrick’s name near the top of the results sheet—often as part of some of the most respected and well-run programs in the fleet. Patr
Steve Hunt (Part 2) on heel angle, starting, better tacks and so much more :)
We’re back with Part 2 of my conversation with Steve Hunt, whose first episode was one of our most downloaded ever—no surprise, given his clear, practical take on the art of racing. In this episode, we dig into the details: sail trim, heel angles, faster tacks, and sharper starts. It’s packed with insights from one of the best in the game. Don’t forget the special Bonus for Sailfaster l
Starting Racing: How to Jump Into the Fleet Later in Life
Racing sailboats can be cold, wet, and humbling—but also exhilarating, joyful, and life-changing. In this episode of Sail Faster, we explore how to start racing later in life, even if you didn’t grow up around boats. Host Pete chats with three experienced sailors—Beth Crabtree (SpinSheet), Jayne Durden (Sailing Happy Place, Commodore of Herrington Harbour Sailing Association), and Heidi F
Steve Hunt (Part 1) on Racing Smarter: Preparation, Communication, and the Pursuit of Perfect Starts
In this episode, world-class sailor and coach Steve Hunt shares hard-earned lessons from his career — from his early days sailing in Virginia to competing as tactician on TP52 Wizard. Steve opens up about the intense learning curve of big boat racing, the importance of preparation, and how even small adjustments in sail trim and decision-making can have huge impacts on performance. He div
Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show Preview (SPONSORED EPISODE)
Special Edition presented in partnership with the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show: In this special sponsored episode of Sailfaster, we’re setting course for City Dock, Annapolis, to give you an inside look at the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show, happening April 25–27. First, we sit down with Mary Ewenson, president of Annapolis Boat Shows, to get the scoop on everything to expect at this
Ken Read (Part 2) on Speed, Strategy, and Improving Regattas!
In part two of my conversation with Ken Read — President of North Sails, multi-time world champion, and one of the most respected figures in sailing — we dive into some great America’s Cup stories (including more Dennis Conner gold), his advice on raceboat preparation and priorities, and his bold vision for transforming regattas into something more fun, efficient, and family-friendly. We
What Champions Do Differently – Ken Read on Sailing Faster! (Part 1)
What separates the best sailors from the rest? In this episode, Ken Read—multi-time world champion and President of North Sails—shares the mindset, habits, and hard-won lessons that fuel real improvement—on club lines and world stages alike. From the power of curiosity to the pain of lost championships, Ken opens up about his journey through America's Cups and Volvo Ocean Races, his obses
Royal Ocean Racing Club's Deb Fish on Double-Handed Offshore Racing!
In this episode Pete interviews fellow Brit and offshore sailor Dr Deborah Fish, Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, on the challenges of long-distance yacht racing. Deb shares some great strategies for staying positive and managing risk, and the art and science of balancing boat speed with smart navigation in double-handed racing. Deb also discusses teamwork, communication, and res
Race Strategy, Starts & Decision-Making with Stephanie Roble (Part 2)
In Part 2 of my conversation with champion sailor Stephanie Roble, we dive into race strategy, and teamwork on the racecourse. She shares how she simplifies complex conditions, breaks the course into key sections, what decisions she makes approaching the windward mark and how she sets up for the start. We also talk mental focus, risk assessment, and her top advice for sailors. An episode
Sail Faster, Race Smarter: Insights from Stephanie Roble
In Part 1 of my chat with two-time Olympian, Stephanie Roble, we discuss her techniques for mental preparation, visualization, and pre-race routines. We’ll also dive into starting strategy, boat handling drills, and decision-making under pressure, plus the intensity of an Olympic sailing program. Steph’s an elite skiff and keelboat racer, with World, National, and North American Champion
Mastering J/Boat Performance with Jeff Johnstone: Tuning, Tactics & Speed (Part 2)
In Part 2 of my chat with Jeff Johnstone, President of J/Boats, we dive into the art of getting the most out of your J/Boat on the racecourse. Jeff shares invaluable insights on optimising boat setup, crew coordination, and tuning techniques that can make all the difference in competition. From rig tuning and weight distribution to the importance of repetition and dialing-in manoeuvres, t
J/Boats’ Jeff Johnstone on Designing Performance Racing Boats (Part 1)
Today I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Jeff Johnstone, President of J/Boats, to Sailfaster. If you’ve spent any time on the water, chances are you’ve sailed or raced on one of their iconic boats. From the game-changing J/24 to the latest J/99, J/9, and J/45, J/Boats has set the standard for speed, versatility, and pure sailing joy. Jeff has been at the helm of J/Boats since 1988, cont
Building a Culture of Safety at Sea with Ministry of Sailing's John Schafer
In this episode we dive into a critical topic: safety at sea. I’m joined by John Schafer, founder of Ministry of Sailing, a platform dedicated to improving safety, training, and risk management for sailors of all levels, whether they’re involved in offshore racing, coastal cruising, or inshore sailing. John’s a highly-experienced racing sailor and marine safety expert dedicated to enhanc
High Winds & Hard Decisions - Farr 40 'Pretty Woman' in the 2024 Sydney-Hobart
Richard Hudson joins us from Australia to share his experience of December's challenging Hobart race. A highly-experienced ocean racer, Richard shares what led up to their retirement from the race, how the Pretty Woman team executed a flawless night-time high-speed jibe in 30 knot winds, coping with dramatically- changing wind conditions, and making the critical decisions. He also refle
Sara Stone Talks American Magic, TP52 Racing, and the America’s Cup...
In this episode of Sailfaster, I’m delighted to welcome the brilliant Sara Stone, a professional sailor with an impressive career spanning offshore and inshore racing including TP52 Super Series and the America's Cup! From her early development at Oakcliff Sailing under the mentorship of the legendary Dawn Riley to her bold career transition from international public health, Sara’s journe
Maximising boat speed, and the art of simplicity, with Guillaume Seynhaeve
This week I sat down with Guillaume Seynhaeve—seasoned racer and accomplished helmsman—for an engaging conversation on the art of driving a keelboat. From mastering boat speed to simplifying race strategy, Guillaume eloquently shares invaluable insights gained from decades of sailing experience, including everything from semi-circumnavigations to competitive world championships.It's an ep
Scott Nixon talks TP52s, the ORC Worlds, and the relentless commitment to learning
This week, Scott Nixon came back to Sailfaster to chat about his winning run on TP52 "Fox" at the 2024 ORC World Championships. Scott shares what it took to prepare for this event over four years, from nailing down teamwork and boat handling to bouncing back after losing wind instruments mid-race. We got into the nitty-gritty of sailing at the top level—how technology and instincts work
From "crisis management" to executing with confidence, with Maura Winston
In this episode we dive into the inspiring journey of Maura Winston, London Calling’s tactician. Maura grew up sailing in the picturesque waters of Rhode Island and began racing at an early age, moving later into Bermuda Cup match racing and J/24 and J/105 keelboat racing. With her infectious enthusiasm for the sport, Maura shares how teamwork is at the heart of sailing success, as well
Match Racing with the Danish Champion!
This episode features an engaging conversation with two-time Danish match racing champion Marie Klok Crump. She shares how a pivotal high school experience ignited her passion for match racing, propelling her to international rankings in just two years. We explore the precision and intensity of match racing, the art of mastering chaos, and the crucial role of teamwork and communication i
From Deckhand to Key Player: Adding Value as a New Crew Member!
Today we dive into the world of crewing with Quantum Sails’ John Rampe. We discuss what it takes to excel as a new crew member and the art of crewing including how to evolve your skills from the bow to the back of the boat. From the critical role of communication and preparation to the unique qualities that make a good skipper stand out in the eyes of the crew, John’s insights are both in
"Supercoach" Tom Burnham!
Tom Burnham, fresh off his America’s Cup experience with American Magic, joins us in the Sailfaster studio. With his extensive top-tier sailing experience, including five America’s Cup campaigns, "Supercoach" Tom has been a key asset to high-performance teams like Young America, Luna Rossa, Artemis Racing, and American Magic. In addition, Tom has also served as the head coach for the USA
Weather forecasting for racing sailors with Chelsea Freas from SeaTactics!
Today’s guest is Chelsea Freas, a highly sought-after expert in weather and routing forecasts for sailors of all kinds—offshore racers, regatta competitors, cruisers, and even Olympians. She’s the founder of SeaTactics, offering marine weather solutions like weather routing, regatta forecasting, navigation, consulting, and education—check out www.sea-tactics.com - it includes some excelle
Sydney-Hobart on a Farr 45!
We’re switching to offshore racing in the Southern Pacific/Australia for this episode! Richard Hudson has racked up over 150 offshore races of 200 miles or more, including multiple Rolex Sydney-Hobart Races, 34 Sydney-Gold Coast Races, China Sea races, Hong Kong to Philippines, Hong Kong to Vietnam, the 600 mile New Caledonia Groupama Race and many more. Richard is the owner of Farr 45
The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac!
Really enjoyed my conversation with top Chicago sailors George Simkins and Mark Fruin about the famous Mackinac Race. With multiple podiums between them, you'll hear how they prepare their J111 and J105 for the race, how they think about routing decisions, dealing with tough conditions, avoiding the black flies, why sailing racing is worth investing time in, and finally how Sailfaster ca
Blackhawk: Multi-Time Winner of San Francisco’s Prestigious Rolex Big Boat Series
So much to learn from Ryan Simmons and Brent Draney of San Francisco-based J/105 Blackhawk! In this episode we interview Ryan and Brent fresh off their recent success at San Francisco’s Rolex Big Boat Series. We discuss crew dynamics and longevity, the crossovers between business and sailing as well as the team’s history of success including Blackhawk’s six victories in the Big Boat Seri
Tom McLaughlin (Part 2) on Dennis Connor's bets, Buddy's driving, and the ticking clock...
Part 2 of my thoroughly enjoyable conversation with Tom McLaughlin in which he recalled what went wrong with the NYYC's 1987 America's Cup campaign, along with great anecdotes about Dennis Connor, insights on Buddy Melges' helming, and the fundamentals of winning sailing races. Such an interesting, talented and gracious guest!
Tom McLaughlin (Part 1) on driving an America's Cup boat, surviving the '79 Fastnet, and sail design evolution
Tom McLaughlin's sailing career is enviable. Growing up in San Diego - then the hotbed of offshore racers -Tom was mentored by Dennis Connor, Buddy Melges and Lowell North. He’s raced in multiple Admirals Cups including the infamous 1979 Fastnet race, and gained deep experience of the America’s Cup through two challenger campaigns - he was training helmsmen racing for John Kolius in the N
Annapolis Sailboat Show, the EWE Spirit Foundation...and racing Vipers!!
Here’s the very talented Mary Ewenson talking about the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show and sailing her Viper 640! We recorded it outside at the Annapolis Powerboat Show so you’ll notice the background noise, but hopefully it doesn’t diminish your enjoyment of the episode. Mary’s also the co-founder of the Spinsheet publications and the founder of the EWE Spirit Foundation, which honors th
World champion dinghy sailor Luke Lawrence on his unique preparation for the big ones....
Multi-time world champion Luke Lawrence talks to Sailfaster podcast about the visualization techniques that are a key part of his preparation for top regattas. It’s clearly working for him as his record attests: Star junior world champion (with Alexei Selevenov) and 2021 star Western Hemisphere championships with the great Paul Cayard plus the Etchells North Americans, the J24 US Nationa
Special episode: Women's J105 Regatta in Annapolis!
Check out this special episode of Sailfaster focusing on the upcoming Women’s J105 Regatta in Annapolis. Joining me on the pod were regatta organiser and long time advocate for women in sailing, Molly Wilner, along with top sailors Marie Klok Crump and Claire Ward, all sailing in the regatta. We discussed the origins and goals of the regatta and had a very interesting discussion about t
Pip Hare and the Vendee Globe: solo ocean racing in a foiling IMOCA!
I was thrilled to chat recently with Britain’s top ocean racer Pip Hare. Pip is a core member of that extraordinary group of athletes - the round the world solo racing sailors who fly across some of the planet’s most inhospitable oceans in huge, high-tech foiling yachts. With the 2024 edition of the Vendee Globe blasting off in November, I was lucky enough to catch Pip for a fascinating
Kristen Berry's cerebral approach to high performance sailing team coaching!
Echoing high-performance team development in the business world, sailing instructor Kristen Berry focuses on the more cerebral aspects of sailing and team dynamics. We had a fascinating discussion about this different approach to coaching sailing teams. Lots to take away from the conversation, including why when the helmsperson is yelling it usually means they are out of mental bandwidth
Decisions at gates, recovering from starts, and the art of simplicity with North Sail's Allan Terhune
A fascinating discussion with renowned racing sailor Allan Terhune. We discussed with Allan in-depth the art and craft of decision-making at gates, his philosophy around focus and simplicity, and recovering from (and avoiding!) bad starts. Allan’s a world champion in J/22s, has eleven North American wins in the Lightning, Pan-Am Games gold medalist and a multi -year finalist for Rolex
Winning moves from the J/105 champions
Prepare to hear from Randy Hecht and Russ Silvestri’s masterclass on the finer points of sailing a J/105! Randy and Russ raced their J/105 Niuhi to back-to-back North American championships on the breezy waters of San Francisco Bay in 2022 and Rye, New York in 2023, only the latest in a long career of sailing success. From collegiate sailing in California to being pipped by Dennis Connor
Starting, rounding, winging....Scott Nixon of Quantum Sails
This week I was able to grab time with Quantum’s Scott Nixon in between his many racing and sail design commitments. It was a fascinating discussion that included thoughts on starting, mark rounding and the tactical advantages of wing-on-wing. I knew Scott would be interesting to have on the pod not just because of his stellar racing pedigree, but also because he is directly involved in
Cam Farah: Foiling is the future...!
Today we’re talking to Cam Farrah, a world champion foiler who experienced what’s it like to be thrown into the Strategist role on the US SailGP team. Cam has some remarkable stories of what it’s like to be at the sharp end of a 70 mph catamaran in full view of the cameras! Surviving a SailGP series is only one of Cam’s skills, she’s one of the US’s best young sailors and has fully embrac
Dawn Riley on leadership, team management, and helming to win...
Today’s episode features sailing legend Dawn Riley at the renowned Oakcliff Sailing Center. Dawn’s been interviewed hundreds of times but I tried to home in on her thoughts on getting boats and teams to sail faster. Our episode touched on many things – managing campaigns and teams, race preparation, nutrition, and we spent a fair amount of time on her approach to helming. Oh we also talk
Kristy Robinson on improving mark roundings, looking after your crew, and adapting to a new boat!
Today’s Sailfaster guest is Kristen Robinson. Kristy’s well-known on the east coast – part of a husband and wife duo who are not only devastatingly successful racers but also terrific fun. Kristy is a highly experienced and successful sailor, but also she’s a leader of multiple sailing organizations including board and president roles for J70 / 80 / 29 classes, and yacht clubs. On the
Carol Newman Cronin on regatta preparation and her road to the Olympics
In this episode I’m joined by one of America’s top sailors, Olympian and award-winning author, Carol Newman Cronin. Carol is very well known internationally as a member of the 2004 US Olympic team that won two races on Athens beautiful, Saronic gulf. She is a multi-time winner of the Snipe NAs, a winner of the Snipe Women’s Worlds with her long time team mate Kim Couranz, as well as a w
The pressures of driving...and other topics with Charleston's Pirate Princess Racing Team!
Charleston’s renowned Pirate Princess Racing Team is one of the US’s largest women’s sailing organizations. In this lively episode, listen to Sarah Schiall Colarusso, Catie Yeagar and Katie Mallory discuss how to manage a racing campaign, the pressures of driving, and what has made them better sailors. And don’t miss Catie’s pre-race nerve-settling prep…!
Olympic Silver Medallist Scott Steele on what top boats do that others don't...
This week we’re talking to Scott Steele, Olympic Silver Medallist and professional coach about his path to the 1984 Olympics, what top boats do that others don’t, managing changes in current/wind dynamics, sail trim, and reminding ourselves that even the best sailors make mistakes
Jason Currie of Quantum Sails and Mike Beasley of Beasley Marine on regatta prep, intimidation and managing the slot...
In this episode we’ll hear from top sailors Mike Beasley of Beasley Marine and Jason Currie of Quantum Sails about regatta preparation, managing the slot, the dockside ‘intimidation’ factor and the perils of poor nutrition while racing! Both Mike and Jason grew up in New Zealanders but transplanted to the USA a few years ago. Mike’s a round-the-world racer with a long list of sailing acc
Lorie Stout: a natural winner...!
We are very privileged to have as our guest today Lorie Stout, a well known, very experienced and successful sailor from the Annapolis area. Lorie's winning ways started early and continued at Boston University where she was ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the Women’s National championships during her college years, as well as winning the Fowle trophy for top team. Her post college s
Jen Sturmer: boat speed, boat speed, boat speed!
Jen Sturmer has a fantastic racing resume; she has crewed expertly on pretty much everything from Express 37s, J22s, Farrs, Snipes, 420s, J70s and - most recently - J/105s. Jen’s competed in a long list of national championships including J/70 Worlds, Rolex Women’s Keelboat Championships, Snipe Nationals, Women’s European Open Championship and US Women’s Double-handed Open Championship,
Ray Wulff: preparation is everything
Today it’s our huge privilege to welcome Ray Wulff To the Sailfaster podcast. A resident of Annapolis, Ray cut his teeth racing lasers and 420s on Long Island Sound and at the University of Rhode Island where he won a silver medal in the Collegiate Keelboat World Championships. After university, he moved to Annapolis and pivoted to racing J-22s, J-70s, Melges 32s and Farr 40s. More rece
Doug Stryker: getting to know your J/105, intimately!
Doug’s a highly-accomplished sailor from the Annapolis area; I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that Doug is obsessed with how to make his J105 "Mayhem", sail faster. As you’re going to hear.Doug’s always at the front of the j/105 fleet, despite being relatively new to the design. I suppose it’s not that surprising that he sailed his way to the front given his formidable achievem
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