Olympian and performance coach Lara Dallman Weiss joins Sailfaster to unpack what actually makes boats go faster—and it’s not just technique.

From her background in Olympic 470 racing to keelboat campaigns and coaching, Lara shares a holistic view of performance that blends decision-making, teamwork, communication and mindset. At the core is a simple idea: sailing is constant problem-solving, and the best sailors are the ones who can stay calm, identify what matters, and take the next step.

We get into how to manage pressure, why the “human” side of sailing is often overlooked, and how small gains—whether in training, communication or preparation—add up over time. Lara also talks about building alignment within a team, making the most of limited time on the water, and why focusing on process beats chasing results.

This is a conversation about clarity, consistency and learning to perform when it counts.  
(Image courtesy of Salty Brother)

in Part 2 of our discussion, Morgan “Truby” Trubovich returns to finish his deep dive on what actually wins races: process, communication, and smart feedback. He explains when results do matter, why elite teams talk like air-traffic control, and how onboard audio/video accelerates learning—often with audio proving more valuable than the camera.  So much to learn from the Kiwi legend!  

I was lucky enough to sit down with Morgan Trubovich—better known as “Truby”—one of the most quietly dominant sailors in the sport. Across a career spanning 19 world championships, America’s Cup victories, major offshore wins, and elite one-design racing, Truby has developed a philosophy that consistently produces top-tier results across any class, crew, or campaign.

Over two episodes, he reveals why process beats results, how communication can make or break a race, why calm execution matters more than raw talent, and how brutally honest feedback—especially audio—reshapes what teams think is happening on board. He also shares stories from visually-impaired world championships, America’s Cup campaigns, and the systems he now teaches to winning programs around the world.

This is a masterclass in turning ideas into behaviors, staying calm through chaos, and why the quietest approach often produces the loudest results.  Enjoy Part 1 and look out for Part 2 next week!  (Image by Hannah Lee Boll)

This week on SailFaster, we break down one of the most misunderstood parts of the sport: junior sailing—not as childcare, not as summer camp, but as a high-performance pipeline that can transform an entire racing community.

Host Pete Boland sits down with Madde Vachon and Travis Carlisle of Annapolis’ Severn Sailing Association to reveal what really happens inside a modern junior program. Spoiler: these kids log more hours, more starts, and more reps than many adult racers get in a year.

Together, they unpack why juniors switch into “race mode” faster than most adults, how burnout and coaching quality shape the long-term pipeline, and why the next generation is shockingly anti-technology. They also explore how young sailors raise the bar in adult fleets—tightening starts, sharpening boat handling, and sometimes humbling sailors twice their age.

If you’ve ever wondered how a 15-year-old just rolled you upwind—or how to rebuild your own fundamentals—this episode is your wake-up call.

We’re joined by professional offshore sailor and fellow Brit, Will Harris, one of the most interesting figures in modern ocean racing. From the Solitaire du Figaro to IMOCA 60s and The Ocean Race, Will shares what life really looks like at the top end of the sport.

Now based in Lorient, France — the epicentre of offshore sailing — Will explains why today’s ocean racers must be true all-rounders, how IMOCA technology and foiling are transforming racing, and what goes into building and optimising these cutting-edge boats.

The conversation digs into decision-making under pressure, risk management, teamwork, and navigation — with lessons that translate directly to club racing as well as offshore passages. Will also reflects on fear, endurance, and the realities of racing days or weeks from help.

Looking ahead, Will discusses his ultimate ambition: the Vendée Globe. He talks candidly about the challenge of funding a campaign, balancing life and family, and chasing the dream of becoming the first non-French winner of the race.

A sharp, honest look at modern ocean racing and the mindset required to compete at the highest level.

Today we speak with renowned sailing fitness coach Harry Legum, founder of Annapolis Sailing Fitness and a pioneer of sailing-specific physical training. With decades of experience working with everyone from club racers to Olympic gold medallists and America’s Cup teams, Harry explains why effective sailing fitness goes far beyond strength, focusing instead on movement quality, balance, agility, endurance, and mental resilience.

Harry shares how understanding a sailor’s motivation, building grit, and training the mind under fatigue are critical to performing well in chaotic racing situations. He discusses how elite sailors prepare differently, how club racers can realistically adopt many of the same habits, and why simple activities like walking, biking, and basic strength work can significantly improve performance, recovery, and safety on board.  Packed with practical advice, personal stories, and humour, this conversation offers clear takeaways for sailors of all levels looking to sail faster, recover better, and stay in the game longer.

Chris Alexander is one of the most consistently dominant one-design sailors in the U.S., with major wins across the VX One and Melges 15 fleets. But his success isn’t built on talent alone — it’s rooted in deep understanding, curiosity, and an ability to stay ahead of the learning curve.

In this episode of Sail Faster, Chris breaks down how feel, rig tune, and mindset intersect to create real speed. From growing up sailing broken boats in Florida, to discovering the VX One and pushing tuning boundaries, to winning championships after months away from the fleet, Chris shares how he thinks about boats, wind, starts, and performance.

We dive into managing leeway, pinching in big fleets, reading puffs on the water, extending waterline upwind, transferring skills between classes, and why imagination beats visualization when it comes to mental prep. Chris also tells the full story of an extraordinary comeback — going from 9th to 1st on the final day of the VX One North Americans.

This is an episode packed with technical insight, practical philosophy, and honest reflections from a sailor who keeps things simple — and stays fast.

My guest today is my good friend Angelo Guarino — aeronautical engineer, US Sailing Regional Judge, J/105 sailor, and one of the most analytical, hard-working racers in Annapolis. Angelo didn’t grow up sailing. He started racing in his 30s, got hooked instantly, and has spent the years since  climbing steadily up a fiercely competitive one-design fleet. In this episode we talk about:

• How he identifies whether problems come from the boat, the skipper, or the crew
• Why obsessing over the basics — clean bottom, fair foils, proper weight placement — changed everything
• His “maniac” philosophy of small, continuous improvements
• What it takes to build and retain a loyal, friendly, high-performing crew
• Why feel, groove, and helm balance matter more than chasing a number on a heel gauge
• The moment his boat went into “elevator mode” — and how he now aims for that on purpose

Whether you race in a one-design fleet or PHRF, Angelo’s approach is full of practical takeaways and thoughtful insights. He’s humble, funny, generous with his knowledge, and seriously dedicated to going faster — without ever losing the joy of sailing with friends

in this quick episode, racing sailor and engineering student Odey Hariri joins Pete to share the story behind SailTalks, the new digital whiteboard that’s transforming how sailors learn, coach, collaborate, and even present protests. Inspired by the classic magnetic model-boat boards, SailTalks brings all the same clarity — but with animations, saved lessons, collaborative editing, and the ability to run it straight from your phone. Odey explains how he built the tool, how teams and coaches are already using it, and why it can be a total game-changer for briefing crews, teaching rules, and preparing for regattas — all accessible on desktop or mobile. Odey also reveals surprising use cases, including virtual protest rooms and tactical debriefs that actually make sense to the whole crew.  If you’re a visual learner, a coach, or just someone who wants to stop drawing courses on a wet deck with a finger, this episode is for you.

Listeners of SailFaster also get a special discount code for premium features (note this is not a paid sponsored episode or advertising)

In this episode, I’m joined by multi-time champion John Loe, a standout Star and J/70 racer, for a candid look at how top sailors choose events, prepare for them, and keep getting faster.

John explains how he targets the right regattas, builds focused training blocks, and uses intensive skill work—like expert-led downwind training—to unlock real gains. He shares how to develop a crew that trims with intent in changing conditions, and why late starters can still accelerate with deliberate practice.

We also dig into U.S. sailing culture: the talent drain toward pro sailing, the challenges of the Olympic pathway, and why time-on-water sets winning programs apart. John offers an insider’s view on SailGP’s American struggles and the structural advantages other nations leverage.

A sharp, insightful episode on preparation, coaching, regatta strategy, and the craft of sailing faster—packed with lessons for anyone looking to move up the fleet.