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 world, while renowned boat architect Guillaume Verdier discusses the innovations driving modern sailing. This episode is packed with inspiring stories, expert analysis, and a celebration of the incredible achievements in the Vendée Globe. Whether you're a sailing enthusiast or new to the sport, this episode offers a captivating look at the dedication, skill, and innovation that define the world's toughest solo sailing race. 

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 be fair, to get to the start line of this level -solo, around the world, and without assistance- you have to be one the best offshore sailors in the world, period.    

Isabelle Autissier and Catherine Chabaud blazed the trail by entering the 1996-1997 edition of the Vendée Globe. Chabaud claimed her place as the first female to conquer the “Everest of the Seas,” and the race has welcomed 12 women for a total of 15 starts since the race was launched in 1989. Six female skippers are participating in the Vendée Globe 2024-25. Sam Davies leads the charge as the most veteran race competitor, while Violette Dorange, at 23, is the youngest skipper ever, male or female, to participate in this storied race.  

This episode of Loft 57 features Sam Davies, Pip Hare, and Justine Mettraux. When we published Episode 5, Mettraux was on track to be the fastest female to race a monohull around the planet, Davies was holding firm among the top 15, and Pip was speaking with us after a dismasting crushed her chance to complete the circumnavigation. 

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 offshore experience, and each brings a unique perspective to the race. Get to know our guests before diving into Episode 4 of the Vendee Globe series of Loft 57.   

Conrad Colman is a season offshore veteran using the Vendée Globe as a platform to promote sustainability. He describes the logistics of running a zero-emissions campaign, the diverse range of skills required, and what drives him to take on this ultimate solo sailing challenge.   

Rising French offshore star Nico Lunven set a new 24-hour solo distance record early in the race. He may be a Vendée Globe rookie, but the Holcim PRB skipper is no stranger to success offshore. His credentials include two Solitaire du Figaro victories and three Volvo Ocean Race appearances. Lunven talks with Charlie about managing issues with his boat, maintaining a positive mindset, and his ambition to perform well despite the challenges ahead.  

Sam Goodchild is a British sailor who has made a name for himself within the French offshore sailing scene. This is Goodchild’s first Vendée Globe, and he is having a fantastic race despite sailing in an older boat that is unforgiving in the Southern Ocean conditions. He calls in from what sounds like rough conditions and updates us on the mental and technical challenges of a 3-month long solo race and his goal of simply enjoying the experience. 

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 fleet's position and safety. He explains the challenges of balancing transparency for the fans with the need for strategic secrecy.  

Sailing legend Dee Caffari shares her unique insight, having competed in the race multiple times. She highlights the incredible atmosphere of the start in Les Sables-d'Olonne, with thousands of passionate fans braving the elements to witness the spectacle. Caffari also analyses the tactical decisions of the leading sailors, including Sam Goodchild and Justine Mettraux.  

Finally, renowned offshore navigator Simon Fisher discusses the weather patterns and navigation challenges facing the fleet. He praises the skills of sailors like Charlie Dalin, who have masterfully managed the tricky conditions in the early stages. Fisher expects a closely fought and unpredictable finish to the race with the fleet headed into the treacherous Southern Ocean.  

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 into the preparation required to get to the start line of this prestigious offshore ocean race.  

In this episode, we welcome Thomas Gaveriaux, CEO of TR Racing. TR Racing has two boats in the race, and they are not just aiming for victory but also promoting important social causes like cybersecurity and vulnerability. We also speak with North sail designer Max Tringale, who shares insights into how North 3Di technology enhances the versatility and durability of the IMOCA 60 sails. Additionally, Thomas Normand from North Sails France discusses the vital collaboration between sail designers, naval architects, and skippers, emphasizing the importance of adapting sails to meet the unique needs of each boat.  

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 Ocean Race Champion Charlie Enright, who guest-hosts our Loft 57 Podcast for five special-edition episodes focused on the Vendee Globe 2024, a solo, non-stop race around the world without assistance.   

In Episode 1, Charles speaks with IMOCA Class President Antoine Mermod and Co-Manager for Sustainability and Partnerships at IMOCA Imogen Dinam Price. He also dives in with Dave Reed, editor of Sailing World Magazine, for an international perspective on this famed French race. Finally, Charlie checks in with a friend and former training partner, offshore sailor Pascal Bidegorry.  

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 team members of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli: Giulia Conti, helmswoman for the winning boat in the first-ever Puig Women's America's Cup, and Rocco Falcone, trimmer on board the Italian team's winning youth boat. Ken also sits with 470 World Champion and Olympic sailor Luise Wanser, trimmer with Women's AC Team Germany.   
  
Ken and our guests dive into discussions on their experiences that led to their Cup appearances, what parents and the sailing community can do to support young sailors, and pose the question – is the future of fast, high-performance sailing on foils?   

This episode is a must-listen for young sailors, parents, and all of us who support the next generation of talent in the America’s Cup and our sport. 

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 producer and power player who helped ESPN revolutionize how to bring all the action onto our screens.   

This trio joins Ken Read in Loft 57 during our limited-edition America’s Cup episodes. Having been a sailor during the ESPN days and a commentator for the last three editions of the Cup, Read dives into the evolution of America’s Cup broadcasting, what it was like for the broadcast crew during the Cup “glory days,” how the advances in technology have changed how we at home watch the Cup. With plenty of shared history amongst the group, they also reveal a handful of fun and possibly never-heard-before stories from behind the scenes.   

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 with Dongfeng, discusses the difficulties of mounting a competitive America's Cup challenge on a limited budget and timeline.  

And in a bonus feature, Cup legend and longtime North Sails leader Tom Whidden sits with Ken Read to chat about how this event, the boats, and the sailors have evolved over the last five decades.  

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 Season 2 of Loft 57 on-site at the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Spain. This season goes behind the scenes with America's Cup personalities past and present. During the conversations, Ken collects first-hand accounts of what it's like inside a Cup team, what it takes to win the Cup, and why North Sails is the sailmaker of choice for every America's Cup defender and challenger since 1980.