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 he identifies whether problems come from the boat, the skipper, or the crew
• Why obsessing over the basics — clean bottom, fair foils, proper weight placement — changed everything
• His “maniac” philosophy of small, continuous improvements
• What it takes to build and retain a loyal, friendly, high-performing crew
• Why feel, groove, and helm balance matter more than chasing a number on a heel gauge
• The moment his boat went into “elevator mode” — and how he now aims for that on purpose

Whether you race in a one-design fleet or PHRF, Angelo’s approach is full of practical takeaways and thoughtful insights. He’s humble, funny, generous with his knowledge, and seriously dedicated to going faster — without ever losing the joy of sailing with friends