Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing Sailors

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.