It's not often you get genuine breakthroughs in dinghy sailing, especially as we find ourselves sailing increasingly in strict one-designs. Not that I'm complaining about one-designs, because that's where the best racing is to be found. But I do think that one-design racers should pay their tax to the development classes that keep on throwing good ideas their way...
MP3: Ian Walker is not happy. This double Olympic silver medallist is not used to losing, but the skipper of the Green Dragon Racing Team has just finished last in both In Port races during the Boston stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race. This podcast is a massive insight into the pressures of being a skipper in one of the world's toughest races. Ian tells Sailing Talk podcasters Andy Rice & Justin Chisholm about the highs and lows of competing in the Volvo Race, the huge support of the Green Dragon fanbase, and speculates on the future of the event....
In the second part of our interview with a top sailmaker from Australia, Stewart Gray talks about the tell-tale signs of when you need to replace sails with new ones, and why high-tech sails demand that you use high-tech halyards...
SailJuice interviewed top freelance sailmaker from Australia, Stewart Gray, for his advice on buying sails for keelboats. Stewart has worked at all levels of the sport from small keelboats through to the America's Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race. In Part One, Stewart talks about how to select the right sailmaker, the best time to buy sails, and why the climate could determine whether or not your sails are race legal...
Audio (12 minutes): In part four of our look at the new Racing Rules for 2009-2012, Chris Simon explains what an 'obstruction' means to the racing sailor. In most respects it tidies up the old rule, but there is a potential 'game changer' in how the new definition could encourage more aggressive jostling for position on the start line. Chris likes the rule change, Andy Rice is not so convinced...
MP3 (5 May 2009): Top US professional Chris Larson talks about tough economic times in sailing and how the big boat scene's loss is the sportsboat scene's gain. Sailing Talk podcasters Justin Chisholm & Andy Rice also discuss the Wilson Trophy, the massive team racing event at West Kirby...
MP3: (28 April 2009) Volvo Ocean Race sailor from Australia, Chris Nicholson, should be racing on board Puma but instead the injured sailor is forced to share his thoughts on grand prix racing with Sailing Talk podcasters Justin Chisholm & Andy Rice...
MP3: (21 April 2009) Justin Chisholm and Andy Rice talk about Melges 32 Racing on Lake Garda, reflect on a memorable funeral for Richard Estaugh, discuss the latest machinations in the America's Cup and look at who's hot and who's not at the Olympic regatta in Hyeres...