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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 RaceSense works, why starts are becoming tighter and more aggressive, how Olympic, J/70, and TP52 fleets ar...
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 the boat as a critical part of racing fast. Drawing on endurance sports, Ambre explains how handling discomfor...
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-making and the mental game under pressure. All of it played out in IC24s in consistently challenging – and bea...
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-solving, and the best sailors are the ones who can stay calm, identify what matters, and take the next step. We g...
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!
Join acclaimed sailor Morgan Trubovich as he unveils his winning philosophy, "Process Over Results," cultivated across a career of 19 world championships. He details how shifting focus from outcomes to deliberate, repeatable actions reduces anxiety and improves performance. Trubovich also shares insights on the critical role of calm, factual communication—even in chaotic racing—drawing lessons from the Blind Sailing World Championships and legendary athletes like Carl Lewis, proving that a disciplined, internal focus leads to consistent victories.
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. Spoiler: these kids log more hours, more starts, and more reps than many adult racers get in a year. Togeth...
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-rounders, how IMOCA technology and foiling are transforming racing, and what goes into building and optimising ...
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, agility, endurance, and mental resilience. Harry shares how understanding a sailor’s motivation, building grit...
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 real speed. From growing up sailing broken boats in Florida, to discovering the VX One and pushing tuning bo...
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 he identifies whether problems come from the boat, the skipper, or the crew Why obsessing over the basics — cl...
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 the ability to run it straight from your phone. Odey explains how he built the tool, how teams and coaches are...
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 trims with intent in changing conditions, and why late starters can still accelerate with deliberate practic...
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 pressure—on and off the water. A great listen! 🎧 Insight, discipline, and a dash of scientific curiosity from one ...
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 barriers like negative self-talk and imposter syndrome, and offers practical strategies for mental preparation ...
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 hours into the race, to leading bow in the black of night, to pulling together a team of college-age sailors ...
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-round for safety and performance. They also talk about the unique dynamics of racing as a couple, building ...
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, trust, and building world-class teams — including how to handle setbacks and bounce back stronger. We dive into ...
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 the role of mindset in sailing: Sweta opens up about the power of mental preparation, resilience, and focus, n...
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 precision and skill needed to get to the front of the fleet, and why none other than sailing legend Ken Read...
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 TP52s , Star Worlds, and Charleston Race Week, RaceSense is helping both pros and amateurs make better decisions...
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: the windward mark rounding . From final approach strategy to mark-rounding choreography, from the often-overloo...
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 entertaining guest. Audio is a bit dodgy, sorry, but hopefully after a bit you won't even notice...
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 while at university, and how that eventually led to a sunny afternoon on San Francisco Bay with the person soon ...
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 become a “fact-based robot” and shut out distractions His recent pro sailing season across Stars, Etchells,...
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 boat prep is really about eliminating variables. Patrick also reflects on perfectionism, the psychological...
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. Patrick has a reputation not just for his trimming skills and consistency under pressure, but for the calm, collab...
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 listeners: Get 30% off Steve’s premium coaching content at stevehuntsailing.com using the code Sailfaster30 ....
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 Frist (J/30 class president)—about their own journeys into the racing world, and the advice they give to begi...
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 dives deep into starting techniques, teamwork, mental preparation, and why trusting your instincts is just as i...
