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.

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