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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 Nationals, the J24 Worlds and in his younger days the 2010 Finn junior world title. Tune in to hear Luke talking about visualization, tuning preferences and how he comes back from bad starts by subscribing to Sailfaster wherever you get your favourite podcasts!
To contact Luke for coaching, call him on 772-260-2437. You’re likely to get his voicemail as he’s always out sailing…
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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 the differences between men and women teams, and the barriers that are often faced by women in the sport. And on a sombre note, this episode included a tribute to Maggie Flanigan, our dear team mate on London Calling, who unexpectedly passed away last week.
photo credit: Will Keyworth
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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 conversation about her journey to the top in ocean racing, and how she copes with the incredible demands of a Vendee Globe race! I know you’ll enjoy our chat, but to learn more go to piphare.com or IG @piphareoceanracing
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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 (!) and why top teams are highly communicative but whisper quiet. Kristen is a 20-year US Sailing-certified instructor and founder of Annapolis-based Gale Force Sailing. He also works with the U.S. Naval Academy’s Basic Sail Training program and is advisory board member of New York’s Hudson River Community Sailing organization and executive director of Baltimore’s Downtown Sailing Center. I love the quote from Galeforce Sailing’s website: Sailing is a sport filled with challenges, chaos, and curiosity, and you should always strive for elegance. Hope you enjoy listening to this episode!
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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 Yachtsman of the Year…so he knows a thing or two about racing! A great discussion with so many insights and ideas about how to get around the race course in the front of the pack…!
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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 in the 1976 Olympic trials and winning the Pacific Coast Championships in the Etchell class, Randy was a regular on the West Coast racing circuit, but after coming second in the Etchell Worlds he took a 35-year break from sailing to concentrate on work and family. He jumped back in the game a few years ago on the Knarr, and then the J/105, winning championships in both classes on board boats named ‘Nuihi’ in partnership with long-time sailing partner Russ Silvestri. Russ’s sailing CV is equally impressive – he competed in four Olympic Trials, won five US titles and a Pan American Games silver medal in the Finn in 1999. He represented the USA at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the Finn class. He also participated in the US Challenger series for the 1987 and 2000 America’s Cup. He was a member of Tom Blackaller’s 1987 America's Cup team that raced in Perth with USA and its revolutionary foils, losing to Dennis Connor in the semifinals. Russ’ AC experience continued in 2000 when he was part of Paul Cayard’s America One team. Russ also won the 2014 Lipton Cup and the Grundig Cup in 2009 and 2010 and raced Laser boats at the World Masters Championships in 2002 and 2011.
So, two very accomplished sailors and as I found out, super nice guys too!
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A super-interesting and revealing panel discussion with top Charleston sailors the evening before the start of 2024 Charleston Race Week. You’ll about how they prepare for CRW, how local knowledge helps (or hinders!) course, how they manage campaigns and teams and much more! Thanks to Sarah Schaill Colarusso for co-hosting our panel of Madeline Baldridge, Sail Designer for North Sails and PanAm Games Gold Medalist, Jack Jorgensen, consistent top finisher in the North American VX One fleet, Crisp McDonald, co-owner of top Melges 32 'Guillotine', and John Bowden, many times winner of CRW and North Sails Sailmaker. I apologise for sound quality, which should have been better; I do hope it doesn’t detract too much from your enjoyment of this fascinating discussion. Image credit: JBoats.com
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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 testing, design, and development of Quantum’s One Design sail programs, where he is Global Offshore One Design Director. Scott has sailed with Quantum customers to win championships at the World, Gold Cup, European, North American, and National levels. He actively campaigned, coaches and races in the following classes: J/22, J/24, J/70, J/80, J88, J/105, J/109, J/111, C&C 30, Farr 30, Farr 40, NYYC 42, Swan 45, Melges 20, Melges 24, Melges 32,Melges 40, and TP/ORC 52 classes. He has also won World Championships in the Melges 32 & J/111 classes. Scott lives in Annapolis with his wife Alexis and daughters Savannah and Summer. I do hope you enjoy the episode!
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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 embraced the foiling revolution. She’s been a world champion on Foiling A class Catamarans for the last two years, and a leading sailor on the 69F, the one design foiling monohull that looks like a mini America’s Cup design and similarly sails at astonishing speeds. She’s a recent graduate of Tulane university in New Orleans, and already has a sailing CV that runs to multiple pages. It was truly a privilege to chat to Cam, as you’ll hear, she tells some great stories from the new world of foiling, and has of course, some great insights into sailing faster.
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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 talked about being tested to the limits – by the Southern Ocean and by kids learning to sail which was hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed our chat – Dawn is inspiring, gracious and hilarious.
Dawn is one of the foremost sailors of the modern era. Famous around the world, she was the first woman ever to manage an entire America's Cup syndicate, the first American, man or woman, to sail in three America's Cups and two Whitbread Round the World races. Just to zoom in on that for a moment - Dawn was the first women to have an active role on an America’s Cup team in 1992 as pitperson, in 1995 she captained America3, the first women’s team in the America’s Cup, and was skipper of Skipper of Heineken, the only all-women’s entry in the 1993-94 Whitbread round-the-world race. If you haven’t seen it already, you must watch the film Maiden – it’s the epic story of the first all-women’s team in the 1989-90 Whitbread race, in which Dawn stars with Tracy Edwards, Mandi Swan, Claire Warren, and others.
Dawn is also a passionate advocate for the sport of sailing – under her leadership the Oakcliff Sailing Center in Long island has become one of the foremost providers of community access into the sport of sailing. And this is where we met for the recording, on a snowy winter’s day in Long Island, New York. You’ll find the audio quality changes a little as we were in an echoy room; I do hope that doesn’t spoil your enjoyment of what was a terrific discussion. Take a listen…
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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 water she’s always on or around the podium places whether Block Island Race Week on J/29s, 105s and 109s, or at North American Championships on her J/80 or J/109, or locally on the Chesapeake. She’s a really interesting guest given her experience racing so many boats - Laser, J/24, J/29, J/80, Vanguard, J/70, Etchells, J/105 and J/22 classes, J/35, J/109, J/88, J/24, Viper, Soveral 33, and Farr280…
But more than that, she’s a wonderfully warm and funny human being, who makes everyone feel welcome and included at whatever post-race sailing event is happening. Oh, and Kristy’s also doctoral candidate at Marymount University studying Business Administration.
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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 winner of the Snipe Nationals and the Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship, and winner of several women's match racing championships with various skippers.
Carol is also an award-winning author, having written multiple books, blogs and article for the sailing media. You can find out much more about Carol, her stellar sailing experience and her writings at carolnewmancronin.com
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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…!
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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 accolades. A boat-builder by trade, he’s assisted with building and/or project managed yachts such as Mai Cha 3, Americas Cup yachts (Aloha, Le Defi and Alinghi), Volvo 50’s (Kvaerner, Merit Cup and SEB) and many more high performance racing vessels over the years. He’s the owner of Beasley Marine, and known in J/105 circles as the ‘bottom guru’ for his team’s skills in performance finishes for top racing boats.
Jason moved to the USA from New Zealand in 1997 to pursue a career in sailmaking with the newly founded Quantum Sail Design Group. He was appointed Quantum’s regional manager in 2008. Some of the many projects Jason has been involved with include extensive sail inventory modifications to America’s Cup syndicates America3, Il Moro & KZ7 and maxis Sayonara and the RP85 My Song. Jason has competed successfully on all levels of Grand Prix one design & IRC circuits over the years and is actively involved with the Farr 40 class development for Quantum Sails. Jason has an incredibly long list of accolades and experiences including winning the 2013 Farr 40 North Americans, along with a strong performance at the 2014 Worlds in San Francisco. In 2017 Jason narrowly missed out on a World Championship win in the J/111 class by 1 point. Other notable achievements include most recently wins at Charleston Race Week, J/35 North Americans, San Francisco Big Boat Series ORR Division, C&C30 East Coast Championships, NYYC Race Week, and many others!
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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 sailing career continued in the same style, winning the Snipe North Americans, a one design that she became known for. She also finished 4th in the Worlds, 1st in the US Nationals and 5th in the Pan American games. Aside from Snipes, she also has a ton of experience in Melges 15 and 24, J/22 and J/105. Lorie is well-known in the Annapolis area for her sailing prowess as well as her sailing clothing company, Stoutgear. https://www.stoutgear.com/
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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, among others! What’s more, she’s experienced in offshore racing include Annapolis to Newport and the SORC series in Florida. I am proud to say that Jen is a key member of our J/105 team, handling main trim on London Calling!
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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 recently, he has been racing IC 37s where he represented the New York Yacht Club in 2019 and 2023 for the Rolex Invitational Regatta.
Closer to home, Ray races his J-105 Patriot in the local Annapolis fleet winning the Annapolis Nood, Chesapeake Bay championships, and most recently finishing 3rd at the 2023 North Americans in Rye, New York.
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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 achievements in windsurfing earlier in his sailing career – including two-time winner of US Sailing Youth Championships and the Major Hall Trophy (windsurfing), he’s a two time US Sailing Rolex Junior Team member, he represented the US at the ‘95 and ‘96 IYRU Youth World Championships and ‘99 World University Summer Games. What’s more, Dough was the 1995 Olympic Festival Bronze Medalist and member of the US national Sailing Team in 1998 and 1999.
Switching to keelboats, Doug picked up the 2017 Healy Trophy for Overall Cruising One Design. He was also the 2019 J30 North American Champion and most recently won the 2022 Charles Day Trophy - Best Performance in Fleet (AYC WNR)
Doug’s always at or close to the front of the J/105 fleet, which as you’ll hear he puts down to his deep knowledge of the J/105 design, relentless preparation and a constant quest for improvement gained both by on the water experience and through learning from others. As you’ll hear, he’s very willing to share what’s been working for him and his team, a formula that he puts into practice with considerable success.