Loft 57: The North Sails Podcast

In this thrilling final episode of the North Sails Vendée Globe special series, host Charlie Enright dives deep into the world of solo sailing with exclusive interviews. Hear from the Vendée Globe champion, Charlie Dalin, as he reflects on his groundbreaking victory and the challenges he overcame. North Sails President Ken Read shares his expert insights on the race's impact on the sailing wo...

Our host, Charlie Enright, speaks with three female skippers competing in this edition of the Vendée Globe - frontrunner Justine Mettraux, and multi-race veterans Sam Davies and Pip Hare. These women are the best of the best and an inspiration for all young offshore sailors.   Over the years, the Vendée Globe skipper roster has included some of the best female offshore sailors in the game. And to...

At the time of recording, the Vendée Globe fleet was offshore for just a few days shy of two months, and our guests for this episode were in the home stretch. And by home stretch, we mean 4,000 nautical miles a trek across the Atlantic Ocean.   This episode features conversations with three Vendée Globe competitors- Conrad Colman, Nico Lunven, and Sam Goodchild. These sailors have a wealth of offs...

The Vendée Globe, one of the world's most legendary solo round-the-world sailing races, is underway. In Episode 3 of our special series, Charlie Enright speaks with key personalities who provide an insider's perspective on the early stages of the event.   Race director Hubert Lemonnier provides a glimpse into the 24/7 operation behind the scenes, with teams constantly monitoring the flee...

The Vendée Globe solo round-the-world race is a monumental event in France, capturing the nation’s heart and drawing massive crowds, both shoreside and online. As the start of this year’s race approaches, the North Sails team is busy providing crucial last-minute support to the skippers, ensuring everything is in perfect order. Join North Sails and Loft 57 ‘s guest-host Charlie Enright as we delve...

Imagine being alone, confined to a boat no larger than 40 square meters, amid extreme weather conditions that test your endurance and psyche. You're at Point Nemo in the Pacific Ocean—the most remote spot from land on the planet. Each moment is a surge of emotion: fear, loneliness, and passion for the sport. It's crazy. And it's called the Vendée Globe.    Join Offshore Sailor and O...

The 37th America's Cup makes its mark in history by introducing the Women's America's Cup and elevating the Youth America's Cup. These two events sailed in the one design AC40, showcased optimism for a new era in Cup history, and paved the way for more women and up-and-coming talent to compete in the main event. In this episode, North Sails President Ken Read speaks with two te...

The America’s Cup broadcast and color commentary have allowed millions of sailors and sports enthusiasts worldwide to tune into yachting's most prestigious regatta. One could argue that Gary Jobson's and Peter Montgomery’s voices are as recognizable as the Sailors, and the two have garnered their own fan following. While you may not recognize his voice, Jed Drake is an Emmy-winning produ...

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge and Orient Express Racing Team CEO Bruno Dubois join the conversation in this episode of Loft 57. Nathan shares first-hand experience sailing the AC75 – from technical advancements in these foiling monsters to the challenges of getting this machine around the racetrack. Bruno, who has more than a few high-profile wins, including an Ocean Race wi...

America's Cup Hall of Famers Grant Simmer and Simon Daubney stop by Loft 57 to reflect on the America's Cup and their experience within yachting's most prestigious regatta. Between them, these two have won the Cup nine times. Their insight is second to none, and their unique point of view provides an in-depth look at the evolution of the America's Cup.  Host Ken Read recorded S...

In recent years, offshore sailing has seen a dramatic rise in popularity and awareness. This sector of our sport pushes sailors, their boats, and the equipment to the limits. In this episode of Loft 57, our guests are synonymous with offshore racing. Volvo Ocean Race legend, Bouwe Bekking, and master sailmaker, Nathan Quirk, join us to talk about their personal experiences as well as their unique...

In this episode, we are joined by our friends from NorthActionsports (the brand behind North Kites and North Windsurfing).  Professional kiteboarder Nick Jacobsen, and aero engineers Chris Williams and Steve Calder stop by Loft 57 to talk about the future of their respective sports, and how North is applying aero-engineering and high-performance innovation to their wind-powered sports.  Episode 3...

North Sails boasts a design team with unparalleled breadth and depth resulting in sails that are, naturally, ‘better by design.’ With a team of 60-strong, North Sail designers are innovators and opinion leaders– their collective experience is our competitive advantage. In episode 2, we sit down with two figureheads in this team to better understand how the North Sails designers work together to cr...

Advanced mathematical modeling complements the North Sails innovative spirit. In this episode, we talk design, simulation, and the bespoke North Design Suite with three generations of sail engineers. Michael Richelson, Marco Capitani, and Brodt Taylor all bring their unique skills to the table and help create the cutting-edge products that give  North Sails its signature competitive edge.