Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing Sailors

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...

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 un...

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...

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 p...

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...

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...

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/...

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...

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 year’s...

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 pick up t...

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 obsession with...

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 resource man...

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 packed w...

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 Championship titl...

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, this episo...

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, continuing th...

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 enhancing safet...

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 reflected on t...

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 journey is bot...

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 episode I...

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 together,...

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 as the...

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 in high-st...

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 inspiring a...

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 SailGP te...