In this episode of Performance People, we’re joined by Emirates GBR champion driver and newly appointed America’s Cup GB1 helm, Dylan Fletcher, to explore the defining moment behind one of British sailing’s most remarkable career arcs.

Dylan reflects on the tough reality of being dropped from the SailGP circuit early in his career, describing the moment the “rug was pulled” and how losing control of his future forced a complete reset. What followed was an uncompromising focus on what he could control, a mindset shift that reshaped his approach to performance and decision-making.

The conversation dives deep into pressure, resilience and life inside elite sport. Dylan shares what it’s really like to operate under extreme expectation, how he manages nerves, recovery and self-doubt before racing, and why failure, rather than success, has often been his greatest motivation.

We also explore the inner workings of sailing’s biggest environments, from SailGP to the America’s Cup. Dylan opens up on helming alongside Sir Ben Ainslie, adapting to the demands of a 150 person team, and learning how to win both on and off the water.

Further into the conversation, Dylan reflects on the Olympic campaign that culminated in gold medal success, and why committing fully to winning gold, rather than simply chasing a medal, changed everything.

The episode comes at a landmark moment. Emirates GBR were crowned SailGP champions in 2025, and Dylan has just been appointed helm of GB1, the British challenger for the next America’s Cup; placing him at the centre of British sailing’s next chapter.

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The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.

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The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.

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