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 scoop on everything to expect at this year’s show—from exciting new boat debuts to can’t-miss seminars, hands-on classes, family-friendly fun, and more.  Then, we spotlight two standout boats you’ll find at the show: the BirdyFish, an innovative foiling dinghy making waves, and the beloved Flying Scot, a true classic with lasting appeal. Settle in for this exclusive preview of one of spring’s biggest sailing events!

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 fun, efficient, and family-friendly. We pick up the conversation with Ken sharing thoughts on his all-time favourite boats to drive.

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 America's Cups and Volvo Ocean Races, his obsession with learning, the power of the speed loop, and how to truly feel the boat. Whether you’re racing a Tuesday night series or dreaming of an offshore campaign, this is a masterclass in how to get better—one decision, one sail, and one shift at a time.

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 discusses teamwork, communication, and resource management in multi-day races.  You'll also hear about the unique challenges of the Three Peaks Yacht Race and her reflections on past experiences, including the Fastnet and Dream Cup.  And Deb reveals her bucket list race - the 750-mile Race to Alaska!  A really interesting episode with one of the top offshore racers!

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, and her top advice for sailors.  An episode packed with great insights! 

“You give power to what you focus on. If you’re thinking about what’s going wrong, you’re not thinking about how to win.”

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 World, National, and North American Championship titles across multiple sailing classes.  The 2014 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, she partnered with lifelong friend Maggie Shea to pursue her Olympic dream, ultimately competing in two Olympics in the 49erFX Skiff.  A great discussion with Part 2 coming next!

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 of repetition and dialing-in manoeuvres, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for every racing sailor. Plus, we explore the philosophy behind J/Boats’ design and why performance and ease of handling are at the heart of every model. Whether you’re new to racing or looking for that extra edge, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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 at the helm of J/Boats since 1988, continuing the Johnstone family’s legacy of innovation and excellence. Under his leadership, the brand remains at the forefront of performance sailing, making it faster, more thrilling, and accessible to sailors of all levels.

In this first part of our chat, we take a deep dive into the J/boats design philosophy and process, we discuss the trends in performance sailing design, and how the different J/boat models came to be. And don’t miss Part 2, where Jeff will share his top tips for getting the most out of your J/Boat on the racecourse!

So let’s crack on—here we go with Part 1!

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 marine safety expert dedicated to enhancing safety standards across the sailing community.  He shares his insights on how to foster a culture of safety, the importance of man overboard drills and the oft-overlooked challenge of getting someone back onboard, the power of communication in emergencies and practical steps every sailor should take to stay prepared. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or stepping onto a race boat for the first time, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Learn how to transform your team into a cohesive unit, mitigate risks, and approach every sailing adventure with the right tools, training, and mindset 

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 making the critical decisions.  He also reflected on the emotional impact of retiring from the race and the lessons learned.