Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing Sailors

• Think Faster, Sail Faster. Brian Swingly on How Mental Performance Wins Races

  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.

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• Next Generation Offshore: Kelly Holthus and the Transpac

  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 MazellaIf 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.

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• Precision and Preparation: Racing Offshore with Allegiant

  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

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• Racing to the Edge with Charlie Enright

  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!

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• Mind Over Waves: Sweta Shervegar on Racing and Mental Preparation

  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.

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