TP52 World Champion navigator Sara Stone returns to SailFaster to unpack the art and science of high-performance racing. From navigating Quantum Racing / American Magic TP52 to leading teams through intense offshore and inshore campaigns, Sara shares how precision, calm, and communication drive results. She talks mental performance, leadership, and how to make smart decisions under pressure—on and off the water.  A great listen!

🎧 Insight, discipline, and a dash of scientific curiosity from one of sailing’s sharpest minds.

Today we're talking to Brian Swingly, a mental performance and executive coach who specializes in helping sailors and high-performing teams enhance their focus, resilience, and decision-making skills. Brian shares insights from his own sailing journey, the importance of mindset in competitive sailing, and how effective communication can improve team dynamics. He discusses common mental barriers like negative self-talk and imposter syndrome, and offers practical strategies for mental preparation and recovery from mistakes on the race course. The conversation emphasizes the significance of setting intentions and maintaining balance in life and sailing performance.

Pete sits down with Kelly Holthus, a junior at Tulane University, All-American sailor, and veteran of five Transpac races aboard BadPak, skippered by his father Tom Holthus. Kelly shares what it’s like growing up in a California sailing family, the lessons he’s taken from college racing, and how he helped organize a youth-driven crew for the 2023 Transpac.

From flying spinnakers just 31 hours into the race, to leading bow in the black of night, to pulling together a team of college-age sailors and their parents, Kelly reflects on preparation, decision-making, and the thrill of offshore racing. The conversation covers the unique energy of a younger crew, the grit required offshore, and the payoff of winning Division 1 as the fastest monohull under 60 feet.  BadPak’s team were: Tom Holthus, Artie Means, Samantha Gardner (Tulane ’27),  Hartwell Jordan, Jeffrey Peterson (Georgetown ’25), Jon Gardner, Matt Smith, Cooper Smith (Cal Maritime ’24), Kelly Holthus (Tulane ’27), Ryan Mazella

If you’re curious about what it takes to prepare for and succeed in one of the world’s great ocean races, this episode is full of insider stories and lessons for sailors of all levels.

Bert and Marilyn Busser, the husband-and-wife team behind the J/42 Allegiant, share what it takes to compete in some of the toughest offshore races on the East Coast—from Annapolis to Newport to Marblehead to Halifax. In this conversation, they open up about the highs and lows of racing, the endurance and mindset needed for multi-day passages, and how they prepare their boat and crew year-round for safety and performance. They also talk about the unique dynamics of racing as a couple, building a loyal crew, and their ambitions for future challenges..

👉 Learn more about Allegiant at allegiancesailing.com
 👉 Explore the Annapolis to Bermuda Race at bermudaoceanrace.com

What does it take to win The Ocean Race and then step up to lead U.S. Sailing? In this episode, we talk with offshore legend Charlie Enright — skipper of 11th Hour Racing Team, the first American crew ever to win the race.

Charlie shares how his obsession with sailing carried him from dinghies on Narragansett Bay to the gales of the Southern Ocean. He reflects on lessons of endurance, trust, and building world-class teams — including how to handle setbacks and bounce back stronger.

We dive into the craft of racing faster offshore: preparation, culture, accountability, and the mindset that separates good from great. Charlie also opens up on his new role at U.S. Sailing, where he’s driving change in how America develops sailors and reconnects with its Olympic potential.

Whether you’re campaigning offshore or racing on Wednesday nights, Charlie’s insights on resilience, leadership, and team culture will give you plenty to chew on!

In this episode of Sailfaster, we’re joined by Sweta Shervegar — one of India’s most accomplished sailors and a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Games in the 49erFX. Sweta shares her journey from starting out with the Sea Cadets to competing on the international stage, and how she balances her life as both a professional sailor and a medical doctor. At the heart of our conversation is the role of mindset in sailing: Sweta opens up about the power of mental preparation, resilience, and focus, not only in her own racing but also in how she coaches the next generation of young sailors. Her passion, clarity, and commitment to the sport shine through in every word.

In this episode of Sailfaster, we delve into the fast-paced and surprisingly sophisticated world of radio-controlled yacht racing. Our guests, Len Bose and Dan Shier, give us a guided tour of the sport and the dedicated community keeping this unique branch of the sport alive and well. We discuss how these miniature craft deliver all the tactical intrigue of their full-sized cousins, the precision and skill needed to get to the front of the fleet, and why none other than sailing legend Ken Read has become an enthusiastic supporter. Whether you’re looking for a fresh way to hone your racecraft or simply enjoy hearing from passionate sailors pushing boundaries, this episode offers a glimpse into a captivating corner of competitive sailing.

In this episode of SailFaster, Pete Boland talks with Vakaros Events Director Doug Wake about how RaceSense is transforming race starts with GPS precision and automatic OCS calls—no pinging needed. Top sailors Steve Hunt and Morgan Trubovich share how the system boosts confidence, reduces risk, and helps teams train smarter by removing guesswork. Already used in elite fleets like the TP52s, Star Worlds, and Charleston Race Week, RaceSense is helping both pros and amateurs make better decisions on the line.

We’re back from an extended break with a fresh run of Sailfaster episodes—and we’re kicking things off with something a little different. This special compilation brings together insights from five of the sharpest minds in the sport: Luke Lawrence, Tom Burnham, Kristen Robinson, Scott Nixon, and Steph Roble.  Together, they break down one of the most decisive moments on the racecourse: the windward mark rounding. From final approach strategy to mark-rounding choreography, from the often-overlooked offset leg to the all-important exit, each guest shares practical, hard-won wisdom from years at the top.  Whether you’re clawing for inches or chasing boatlengths, this episode is packed with expert tips to help you convert upwind gains into a commanding downwind launch.

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.  Audio is a bit dodgy, sorry, but hopefully after a bit you won't even notice...