Best Pete Boland Podcasts (2025)

1
Patrick Wilson on Trimming, Teamwork, and What Really Wins Races! 39:35

9d ago39:35

39:35

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 …

1
8: Discovering a hole in the ozone layer | Jonathan Shanklin, Prof John Pyle & Prof Lucy Carpenter 24:45

21d ago24:45

24:45

Forty years ago, British Antarctic Survey scientists made a world-changing discovery: a hole in Earth's protective ozone layer above Antarctica. In this episode, meteorologist Jonathan Shanklin recounts how his routine measurements at Halley Research Station revealed data points literally 'falling off the graph' - the first evidence linking chlorof…

1
Steve Hunt (Part 2) on heel angle, starting, better tacks and so much more :) 33:30

23d ago33:30

33:30

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 fo…

1
Starting Racing: How to Jump Into the Fleet Later in Life 44:40

28d ago44:40

44:40

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 …

1
Steve Hunt (Part 1) on Racing Smarter: Preparation, Communication, and the Pursuit of Perfect Starts 29:40

1M ago29:40

29:40

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…

1
Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show Preview (SPONSORED EPISODE) 35:23

2M ago35:23

35:23

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…

1
Ken Read (Part 2) on Speed, Strategy, and Improving Regattas! 38:48

2M ago38:48

38:48

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…

1
What Champions Do Differently – Ken Read on Sailing Faster! (Part 1) 42:13

2M ago42:13

42:13

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 Americ…

1
Royal Ocean Racing Club's Deb Fish on Double-Handed Offshore Racing! 29:53

3M ago29:53

29:53

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 d…

1
Race Strategy, Starts & Decision-Making with Stephanie Roble (Part 2) 22:55

3M ago22:55

22:55

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, an…

1
7: The least sea ice, ever? Lows in the Arctic | Dr Caroline Holmes 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

In February 2025, there was less sea ice on Earth than ever recorded. It's the coldest time of year in the Arctic, and the freeze up of Arctic ice is nearing its maximum - but that maximum is looking small, significantly below the record lows for winter we saw in 2017. Polar climate scientist Dr Caroline Holmes explains what's influencing these low…

1
Sail Faster, Race Smarter: Insights from Stephanie Roble 26:28

3M ago26:28

26:28

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 Worl…

1
Mastering J/Boat Performance with Jeff Johnstone: Tuning, Tactics & Speed (Part 2) 21:43

4M ago21:43

21:43

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 o…

1
J/Boats’ Jeff Johnstone on Designing Performance Racing Boats (Part 1) 31:48

4M ago31:48

31:48

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…

1
Building a Culture of Safety at Sea with Ministry of Sailing's John Schafer 38:02

4M ago38:02

38:02

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 …

1
High Winds & Hard Decisions - Farr 40 'Pretty Woman' in the 2024 Sydney-Hobart 16:54

4M ago16:54

16:54

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 makin…

1
6: How are the LA wildfires linked to climate change? | Dr Ella Gilbert & Dr Thomas Bauska 24:48

5M ago24:48

24:48

Wildfires are devastating the city of Los Angeles, fuelled by a perfect storm of dry conditions and intense mountain winds. In this episode of Beyond the Ice, we break down the weather and climate factors behind this ongoing disaster. Climate scientist Dr Ella Gilbert and ice core expert Dr Thomas Bauska explain how our changing climate is making s…

1
Sara Stone Talks American Magic, TP52 Racing, and the America’s Cup... 53:40

5M ago53:40

53:40

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 i…

1
Maximising boat speed, and the art of simplicity, with Guillaume Seynhaeve 57:09

5M ago57:09

57:09

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 c…

1
Scott Nixon talks TP52s, the ORC Worlds, and the relentless commitment to learning 38:40

5M ago38:40

38:40

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 …

1
From "crisis management" to executing with confidence, with Maura Winston 25:13

6M ago25:13

25:13

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 a…

1
Match Racing with the Danish Champion! 43:37

6M ago43:37

43:37

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 cruc…

1
From Deckhand to Key Player: Adding Value as a New Crew Member! 23:04

6M ago23:04

23:04

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…

1
5: Why does melting Arctic ice matter? | Dr Kelly Hogan & Professor Kate Hendry 39:15

6M ago39:15

39:15

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet. So far, so bad - and scientists are seeing changes there now. Fresh off scientific fieldwork in the Arctic this summer, marine geophysicist Dr Kelly Hogan and marine biogeochemist Professor Kate Hendry reflect on what they saw and studied in this spectacular and important environm…

1
"Supercoach" Tom Burnham! 53:12

6M ago53:12

53:12

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 a…

1
Weather forecasting for racing sailors with Chelsea Freas from SeaTactics! 43:09

7M ago43:09

43:09

Today’s guest is Chelsea Freas, a highly sought-after expert in weather and routing forecasts for sailors of all kinds—offshore racers, regatta competitors, cruisers, and even Olympians. She’s the founder of SeaTactics, offering marine weather solutions like weather routing, regatta forecasting, navigation, consulting, and education—check out www.s…

1
Sydney-Hobart on a Farr 45! 31:34

7M ago31:34

31:34

We’re switching to offshore racing in the Southern Pacific/Australia for this episode! Richard Hudson has racked up over 150 offshore races of 200 miles or more, including multiple Rolex Sydney-Hobart Races, 34 Sydney-Gold Coast Races, China Sea races, Hong Kong to Philippines, Hong Kong to Vietnam, the 600 mile New Caledonia Groupama Race and many…

1
The Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac! 48:58

7M ago48:58

48:58

Really enjoyed my conversation with top Chicago sailors George Simkins and Mark Fruin about the famous Mackinac Race. With multiple podiums between them, you'll hear how they prepare their J111 and J105 for the race, how they think about routing decisions, dealing with tough conditions, avoiding the black flies, why sailing racing is worth investin…

1
Blackhawk: Multi-Time Winner of San Francisco’s Prestigious Rolex Big Boat Series 44:07

7M ago44:07

44:07

So much to learn from Ryan Simmons and Brent Draney of San Francisco-based J/105 Blackhawk! In this episode we interview Ryan and Brent fresh off their recent success at San Francisco’s Rolex Big Boat Series. We discuss crew dynamics and longevity, the crossovers between business and sailing as well as the team’s history of success including Blackh…

1
Tom McLaughlin (Part 2) on Dennis Connor's bets, Buddy's driving, and the ticking clock... 37:28

8M ago37:28

37:28

Part 2 of my thoroughly enjoyable conversation with Tom McLaughlin in which he recalled what went wrong with the NYYC's 1987 America's Cup campaign, along with great anecdotes about Dennis Connor, insights on Buddy Melges' helming, and the fundamentals of winning sailing races. Such an interesting, talented and gracious guest!…

1
Tom McLaughlin (Part 1) on driving an America's Cup boat, surviving the '79 Fastnet, and sail design evolution 30:46

8M ago30:46

30:46

Tom McLaughlin's sailing career is enviable. Growing up in San Diego - then the hotbed of offshore racers -Tom was mentored by Dennis Connor, Buddy Melges and Lowell North. He’s raced in multiple Admirals Cups including the infamous 1979 Fastnet race, and gained deep experience of the America’s Cup through two challenger campaigns - he was training…

1
Annapolis Sailboat Show, the EWE Spirit Foundation...and racing Vipers!! 41:33

8M ago41:33

41:33

Here’s the very talented Mary Ewenson talking about the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show and sailing her Viper 640! We recorded it outside at the Annapolis Powerboat Show so you’ll notice the background noise, but hopefully it doesn’t diminish your enjoyment of the episode. Mary’s also the co-founder of the Spinsheet publications and the founder of the…

1
World champion dinghy sailor Luke Lawrence on his unique preparation for the big ones.... 34:48

8M ago34:48

34:48

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 Etch…

1
4: How to study the world's most unstable glacier | Meghan Sharp, Professor Sridhar Anandakrishnan & Dr Pete Davis 37:02

8M ago37:02

37:02

This is your glaciology briefing! The race is on to understand the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, the world's widest glacier which is retreating and changing rapidly. As warming changes this icy place, communities and governments around the world need the best possible answer to the sea level rise question: how much and how fast? Glaciologist…

1
Special episode: Women's J105 Regatta in Annapolis! 35:11

9M ago35:11

35:11

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 ha…

1
Pip Hare and the Vendee Globe: solo ocean racing in a foiling IMOCA! 43:17

9M ago43:17

43:17

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 luck…

1
3: When scientists talk about the climate | Prof Jane Francis, Dr Emma Boland & Dr Ella Gilbert 34:55

10M ago34:55

34:55

Story or statistics? Urgency or alarmism? Top line or deep dive? Three climate scientists talk about the state of climate science in the media, and what they've learned about communicating about climate change to the general public. Tom Sheldon from the Science Media Centre speaks to BAS' Professor Dame Jane Francis, Dr Emma Boland and Dr Ella Gilb…

1
Kristen Berry's cerebral approach to high performance sailing team coaching! 50:59

10M ago50:59

50:59

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 usuall…

1
Decisions at gates, recovering from starts, and the art of simplicity with North Sail's Allan Terhune 46:53

11M ago46:53

46:53

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…

1
2: When extreme weather goes to extreme places | Dr Louise Sime and Dr Tom Bracegirdle 20:24

11M ago20:24

20:24

It's summer 2022, and an area of East Antarctica is over 38.5°C warmer than it should be. The mercury has risen to a chilly -10°C... but it should be -50°C. It's the most extreme temperature event ever recorded, and we now know this was caused by global warming. The increase in extreme weather events is the erratic, sharp end of climate change. But…

1
Winning moves from the J/105 champions 50:30

11M ago50:30

50:30

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 Cal…

1
A panel discussion before Charleston Race Week 2024 44:35

12M ago44:35

44:35

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 Bal…

1
Starting, rounding, winging....Scott Nixon of Quantum Sails 43:52

1y ago43:52

43:52

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 …

1
1: The mystery of the missing Antarctic sea ice | Dr Ella Gilbert 14:50

1y ago14:50

14:50

2023 set new, dramatic temperature records - and Earth’s frozen places are feeling the heat. Picture the problem: it’s August 2023, the depths of Antarctic Winter, and there’s an area of missing Antarctic sea ice bigger than Greenland. Just 8 years ago, the area of Antarctic sea ice was actually growing each year. Then something changed. Climate sc…

1
Cam Farah: Foiling is the future...! 53:10

1y ago53:10

53:10

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’…

1
Dawn Riley on leadership, team management, and helming to win... 1:06:38

1y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

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 …

1
Kristy Robinson on improving mark roundings, looking after your crew, and adapting to a new boat! 43:22

1+ y ago43:22

43:22

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 …

1
Carol Newman Cronin on regatta preparation and her road to the Olympics 40:37

1+ y ago40:37

40:37

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 tim…

1
The pressures of driving...and other topics with Charleston's Pirate Princess Racing Team! 58:20

1+ y ago58:20

58:20

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…

1
Olympic Silver Medallist Scott Steele on what top boats do that others don't... 47:07

1+ y ago47:07

47:07

This week we’re talking to Scott Steele, Olympic Silver Medallist and professional coach about his path to the 1984 Olympics, what top boats do that others don’t, managing changes in current/wind dynamics, sail trim, and reminding ourselves that even the best sailors make mistakes By Pete Boland

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Pete Boland Podcasts

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