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...
This episode is a little different… and, I admit, a little self-indulgent.
To mark Father’s Day, I’ve handed over the mic to a special guest: my son Jamie. He turns the tables and interviews me — about sailing, podcasting, and whatever else he felt like asking on the day. We talk about what I've learned from 50 episodes, as well as looking back to teaching windsurfing on Greek beaches while at university, and how that eventually led to a sunny afternoon on San Francisco Bay with the person soon to become his mom, and other stuff.
So if you’re here for the usual expert advice and elite racing tips… maybe skip this one. But if you’re curious about the person behind Sailfaster, or just in the mood for a bit of Father’s Day fun, join us. And happy Father's Day....
In this powerful in-person conversation, professional sailor Luke Lawrence returns to Sailfaster to share his extraordinary journey — from burnout to balance, and from racing hard to racing smart. Speaking from Pete’s dining room in Washington, D.C., Luke opens up about the mindset, mechanics, and mental resilience required at the top levels of the sport.
We talk about:
How Luke learned to become a “fact-based robot” and shut out distractions
His recent pro sailing season across Stars, Etchells, J/70s, and superyachts
Tactical and technical tips for starts, laylines, mark roundings, and game planning
His candid battle with addiction — and how sobriety transformed his sailing
The lessons he brings to coaching and how to reset a team after mistakes
This is a deep, wide-ranging conversation about performance, preparation, personal growth, and the joy of mastering the fundamentals.
Connect with Luke:
Instagram: @lukelawrence13
Coaching & pro inquiries: 772-260-2437
Here’s part two of my chat with J70 expert Patrick Wilson, in which, we dive into the craft of raceboat preparation. Known for his sharp eye and hands-on approach, Patrick shares how a childhood fascination with boat repair led to launching Next Level Boatworks, one of the top one-design prep shops in the U.S.
We talk about keel work, sanding secrets, the quirks of J/70 production, and why boat prep is really about eliminating variables. Patrick also reflects on perfectionism, the psychological edge of a well-prepped boat, and why he’s passionate about sharing knowledge—even with DIYers.
Whether you’re prepping for your first regatta or your 500th, or just curious what makes a boat fast, this episode has tons of advice and behind-the-scenes insight from one of the most trusted names in the game.
Today’s guest is one of the most quietly influential sailors on the J/70 circuit—Patrick Wilson. Whether it’s Midwinters, North Americans, or the Bacardi series, if you’ve been following top-tier J/70 racing over the last few years, chances are you’ve seen Patrick’s name near the top of the results sheet—often as part of some of the most respected and well-run programs in the fleet.
Patrick has a reputation not just for his trimming skills and consistency under pressure, but for the calm, collaborative way he helps elevate everyone around him. He’s sailed with teams like Catapult, Black Mamba, and Stampede, working with legends like Victor Diaz de Leon, Jud Smith, and Bruno Pasquinelli. Today, in Part 1 of our chat, we’ll dig into how he prepares, what he looks for on the racecourse, and why great communication might just be the most underrated skill in the sport.
In Part 2 which I’ll publish in a bit, we dive into his raceboat preparation business.
We’re back with Part 2 of my conversation with Steve Hunt, whose first episode was one of our most downloaded ever—no surprise, given his clear, practical take on the art of racing. In this episode, we dig into the details: sail trim, heel angles, faster tacks, and sharper starts. It’s packed with insights from one of the best in the game. Don’t forget the special Bonus for Sailfaster listeners: Get 30% off Steve’s premium coaching content at stevehuntsailing.com using the code Sailfaster30.
Racing sailboats can be cold, wet, and humbling—but also exhilarating, joyful, and life-changing. In this episode of Sail Faster, we explore how to start racing later in life, even if you didn’t grow up around boats. Host Pete chats with three experienced sailors—Beth Crabtree (SpinSheet), Jayne Durden (Sailing Happy Place, Commodore of Herrington Harbour Sailing Association), and Heidi Frist (J/30 class president)—about their own journeys into the racing world, and the advice they give to beginners. From joining a crew to skippering your own boat, from building confidence to packing a cooler, this conversation is full of honest insights, laughs, and practical tips for anyone curious about getting into sailboat racing.
In this episode, world-class sailor and coach Steve Hunt shares hard-earned lessons from his career — from his early days sailing in Virginia to competing as tactician on TP52 Wizard. Steve opens up about the intense learning curve of big boat racing, the importance of preparation, and how even small adjustments in sail trim and decision-making can have huge impacts on performance. He dives deep into starting techniques, teamwork, mental preparation, and why trusting your instincts is just as important as trusting the instruments. Whether you’re racing dinghies or grand prix boats, Steve’s advice will help you think faster, sail smarter, and chase your best results yet.
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!
