⚓️ New Episode Alert: Prepping for the Summer Onslaught with Sailing Icon Kim Hapgood! ⚓️
We sat down on the American Sailor Podcast with Kim Hapgood, the legendary Program Director at Sail Newport, to talk about everything from 30 years of sailing education to major community milestones!
Here is what you missed on this week's episode:
• ⛵ The New J/7 Fleet: Sail Newport just commissioned a...⚓️ New Episode Alert: Prepping for the Summer Onslaught with Sailing Icon Kim Hapgood! ⚓️
We sat down on the American Sailor Podcast with Kim Hapgood, the legendary Program Director at Sail Newport, to talk about everything from 30 years of sailing education to major community milestones!
Here is what you missed on this week's episode:
• ⛵ The New J/7 Fleet: Sail Newport just commissioned a brand-new fleet of J/7s to replace their outgoing J/22s. With a roomier cockpit, boom-end sheeting, and extra stability, these boats are a game-changer for everyone from day renters to local 10-year-olds!
• 🏆 America's Cup "Full Circle" Moment: In a huge historic move, public-access community center Sail Newport has been named the Club of Record for the new American Racing Challenger America's Cup team!
• 🎒 The Pell Program: Celebrating its 8th year, this incredible partnership gets every single local public elementary fourth grader out on the water and into the classroom at Fort Adams State Park. Talk about growing the base of the sport!
• 🎓 Instructor Training & Career Advice: Kim (who has trained an estimated 750–1,000 instructors!) shares her wisdom on Level 1 courses, the benefits of the online/hybrid transition, and how a summer stint as a sailing instructor builds a professional resume that rivals any corporate internship.
What keeps Kim coming back after three decades? "Every day is different... and the rewards of watching staff or students have success in their own way is really big."
👉 Want a podcast sticker? Drop the team an email at AmericanSailor@ussailing.org!
What are your big plans for hitting the water this summer? Let us know in the comments! 👇

#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #SailNewport #SailingEducation #CommunitySailing #SailingLife #AmericasCup #J7Boats #YouthSailing #SailingInstructor #RhodeIslandSailing Show more

Ep. 23 Interview: Sail Newport's Program...

This week the team sits down with Sail Newport's Program Director Kim Hapgood. Kim has been rocking it at Sail Newport for 30 years this year. John, Whitney and Kim catch up on all the happenings at Sail Newport including the recent J/7 fleet dedication and commissioning, the America's Cup and all things summer sailing.

🎙️ New Episode Alert: The American Sailor Podcast! ⛵
John, Lexi, and Whitney are back with a jam-packed "Notice Board" episode, and the clear theme of the week is: the ladies are absolutely killing it! 👑🔥
Here’s a quick recap of what’s happening in the sailing world right now:
🏆 Regatta Results & Highlights
• Opti Team Trials (Fair Hope, AL): Massive congratulations to Audrey Rashelle for taking 1st...🎙️ New Episode Alert: The American Sailor Podcast! ⛵
John, Lexi, and Whitney are back with a jam-packed "Notice Board" episode, and the clear theme of the week is: the ladies are absolutely killing it! 👑🔥
Here’s a quick recap of what’s happening in the sailing world right now:
🏆 Regatta Results & Highlights
• Opti Team Trials (Fair Hope, AL): Massive congratulations to Audrey Rashelle for taking 1st overall! She is only the third female sailor in the history of the event to win it.
• French Olympic Week (Hyères): Charlotte Rose dominated the ILCA 6 fleet to secure the win! Plus, a strong showing for the US 49er squad with Nevin Snow/Ian McDermid finishing 4th and Andrew Miller/Trevor Bourne taking 5th.
• ICSA Team Race Nationals: Stanford captured the Women's Team Race National Championship for the third year in a row, while Harvard went back-to-back to secure the Open Team Race title!
📅 Upcoming Events & Announcements
• 2026 US Junior Women's Championships: The double-handed Ida Lewis Regatta kicks off June 29 in Redwood City, CA, followed by the single-handed Leiter Trophy on July 27 in Corpus Christi, TX. These events are fully coached by US Sailing—register ASAP!
• US Multihull Championship: The Hobie Alter Cup is happening this weekend at Columbia Sailing Club (SC) in Weta Trimarans.
• Free SailFlow Pro Weekend: Thanks to US Sailing partner SailFlow, enjoy free Pro & Plus level access worldwide this weekend!
• Level 1 Instructor Certification: We are in peak certification season with around 150 courses running nationwide over a 6-week span. Get certified and get teaching!
• NSPS 2027: Mark your calendars for January 20–23, 2027, for the National Sailing Program Symposium in Fort Myers, FL. Look out for the presenter proposal forms dropping soon for discounted tickets!
🗣️ Want a free sticker? Email us at podcast@ussailing.org and we'll mail you one!
Drop your thoughts on this week's action in the comments below, and don't forget to go back and listen to last week's incredible interview with Sir Russell Coutts if you missed it! 👇
#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #CollegeSailing #YouthSailing #OlympicSailing #WomenInSailing Show more

Ep. 22 Notice Board: The ladies are killing it 💪

From Opti Team Trials to French Olympic Week to College Nationals, female athletes led the way this week. Tune in for the latest news and commentary from American Sailor.

🎙️ ICYMI: Sir Russell Coutts Joins the American Sailor Podcast! ⛵️
Hosts John Pierce and Charlie Enright sat down with sailing legend, Olympic gold medalist, and SailGP Co-Founder & CEO Sir Russell Coutts for a deep dive into the future of professional and youth sailing!
Here are the big takeaways from their conversation:
• 🏆 SailGP’s Evolution: From funding all six startup teams in 2018 to...🎙️ ICYMI: Sir Russell Coutts Joins the American Sailor Podcast! ⛵️
Hosts John Pierce and Charlie Enright sat down with sailing legend, Olympic gold medalist, and SailGP Co-Founder & CEO Sir Russell Coutts for a deep dive into the future of professional and youth sailing!
Here are the big takeaways from their conversation:
• 🏆 SailGP’s Evolution: From funding all six startup teams in 2018 to nearly selling out every franchise, the league is tracking toward a massive 20+ event global calendar featuring split fleets (10 and 10).
• 🇺🇸 The Critical US Market: With the USA SailGP team climbing the rankings and a new state-of-the-art training facility opening in Pensacola this September, the US is more central to the league's commercial future than ever.
• 🗽 Next Stop: New York! Mark your calendars for the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix (May 30-31) racing right off Manhattan and Governor’s Island. Look for live coverage on the CBS Sports Network and YouTube!
• 👧 Youth Sailing Shakeup: Russell drops some "controversial" wisdom on youth sports—arguing we evaluate kids far too young, push spectators and parents too far away, and need to embrace more double-handed boats and modern foiling disciplines to keep numbers in the sport.
"We want to have the boats challenging to sail. We want to test for the best sailors in the world." — Sir Russell Coutts
🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear Russell reminisce about a 1996 regatta in Wisconsin, his thoughts on the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics, and why he thinks race committees need to stop postponing races for wind shifts!
#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #SailGP #RussellCoutts #Sailing #YouthSailing #Foiling Show more

Ep. 21 Interview: SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts

This week, we sit down with sailing legend Sir Russell Coutts — ISAF Youth World Champion, Olympic gold medalist, five-time America’s Cup winner, and co-founder & CEO of SailGP. Russell joins hosts John Pearce and Charlie Enright for a wide-ranging conversation on building SailGP into a global league, the future of the sport, and his candid perspective on sailing’s development pathway. Along the...

⛵️ New Episode Drop: Deep Dive into Regatta Management! ⛵️
We are kicking off the upcoming sailing season with a brand-new episode of the American Sailor Podcast!
Hosts John Pierce and Whitney Kent sit down with special guest host Lynn Lynch, the Sailing Director at the New York Yacht Club and a highly certified International Race Officer (IRO). With the summer season just around the corner,...⛵️ New Episode Drop: Deep Dive into Regatta Management! ⛵️
We are kicking off the upcoming sailing season with a brand-new episode of the American Sailor Podcast!
Hosts John Pierce and Whitney Kent sit down with special guest host Lynn Lynch, the Sailing Director at the New York Yacht Club and a highly certified International Race Officer (IRO). With the summer season just around the corner, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to run world-class events.
🎧 Inside This Episode:
• The Logistics of 1,600+ Sailors: Lynn breaks down the massive undertaking of running the Annual Regatta, from managing 160 boats to navigating complex scoring formats.
• The Game-Changer—Markbots: How robotic marks are completely shifting the strategy and pace of modern team racing.
• High-Tech vs. Pure Sailing: A fascinating discussion on how automated line calling and advanced rating rules are impacting competitors and race committees alike.
• Road to LA 28: A sneak peek at the incredible depth of talent in the US race official community leading up to the next Olympic games.
• The "Dark Art" of Race Committee: Ever wonder what happens right after a race officer cancels racing for the day? Lynn shares a hilarious cautionary tale from Newport.
We also give a massive shoutout to the recent American champions at the Wasp games in Pensacola, and look ahead to the 47 US athletes benchmarking their skills at the upcoming Palma Regatta!
"I feel as competitive running the races as I do sailing in them." — Lynn Lynch
Whether you're an elite racer, a weekend frostbiter, or a volunteer on your local race committee, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
👇 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform! 👇
#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #RaceManagement #SailingLife #RegattaLife #LA28 Show more

Ep 19 Interview: NYYC Sailing Director Lynn Lynch

This week we are joined by New York Yacht Club Sailing Director Lynn Lynch! Listen as we dive into her career and how she got to NYYC, what it takes to put on a world-class regatta, and her take on how technology has evolved in the sport for Race Committees and sailors alike!

Check out the latest episode of the American Sailor Podcast, where the Pod Squad sits down with college sailing standout and Rolex Yachtsman of the Year nominee, Justin Callahan! ⛵️🎙️
Currently on spring break in Charleston, Justin dives into his incredible 2025 season—which included four national championships across team racing, match racing, and college sailing—and shares what’s next as he...Check out the latest episode of the American Sailor Podcast, where the Pod Squad sits down with college sailing standout and Rolex Yachtsman of the Year nominee, Justin Callahan! ⛵️🎙️
Currently on spring break in Charleston, Justin dives into his incredible 2025 season—which included four national championships across team racing, match racing, and college sailing—and shares what’s next as he kicks off his 470 Olympic campaign.
Key Highlights:
• The "Trifecta" of Team Racing: Justin discusses winning the Wilson, the Hinman, and College Nationals all in one year.
• Cross-Training Success: How skills from match racing and fleet racing translate to the college starting line.
• The Growth of the Sport: Why the new selection committee process is making college nationals more competitive and "good TV" for fans.
• A Lifelong Community: Reflecting on the 15-year friendships built from Optis through the collegiate level.
What’s Next for Justin?
After graduation, Justin is heading straight to Japan for the 470 World Championships this August as he sets his sights on international podiums.
Listen to the full episode for "inside baseball" on the college circuit and tips on how to keep consuming sailing knowledge like a pro! 🎧
#US-Sailing #CollegeSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #SailingLife #OlympicHopeful Show more

Ep. 18: Crushing it in College Sailing with...

In this week's episode, guest host, Justin Callahan talks about what it means to be a 2025 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Finalist, where's he's at for spring break and all things college sailing!

Happy 2026, sailors! ⛵️ The American Sailor Podcast is back for its first episode of the year, and we are kicking things off with some major announcements and a deep dive into the 2025 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year finalists!
Here is what’s on deck:
🏆 Rolex Finalists: The Best of 2025
The shortlists are in, and the competition is stacked! We’re discussing the incredible seasons of:...Happy 2026, sailors! ⛵️ The American Sailor Podcast is back for its first episode of the year, and we are kicking things off with some major announcements and a deep dive into the 2025 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year finalists!
Here is what’s on deck:
🏆 Rolex Finalists: The Best of 2025
The shortlists are in, and the competition is stacked! We’re discussing the incredible seasons of:
• Yachtsman Finalists: Justin Callahan (Team/Match Racing & Snipe), Taylor Canfield (J/70 & M32 Worlds), and Paul Cayard (Star World Champion 37 years after his first win!).
• Yachtswoman Finalists: Allie Bell (Transpac winner), Laura Grondin (J/70 World Champion), and Pearl Lattanzi (Waszp Women’s World Champion).
⚓️ US Sailing News & Updates
• Olympic Leadership: Big welcome to Molly Vandemore, our new Director of Olympic Sailing! Molly and CEO Charlie Enright are leading a restructure to charge toward LA 2028 and beyond.
• National Coaching Symposium: We’re back in person! Join us in Merritt Island, FL, Feb 17-19. Keynotes include Triple Olympic Medalist Mat Belcher and coaching legend Dave Perry. Register by Feb 1st to avoid late fees!.
• Regional Symposiums: Coming to Seattle, Bristol, and more! (Note: The Hilton Head event is currently postponed due to weather) .
• Host a Course: Want a Level 1-3 instructor course at your club? Submit your request form at least six weeks in advance to get on the calendar.
🎧 Tune In
Catch the full breakdown of the "Why of the Y" (Yachtsman/Yachtswoman) and hear Phil Mueller rub in the 76-degree Florida weather.
📺 Watch on YouTube to see Whitney’s "art gallery" backdrop or 🎧 Listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts!
#USSAILING #AmericanSailorPodcast #RolexYachtman #SailingLife #OlympicSailing #CoachingSymposium Show more

Ep. 15 Notice Board: All things Rolex Yachtsman...

Gather ‘round: it’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year season!! Hosts John Pearce, Lexi Pline, and Whitney Kent (with special guest Phil Muller!) talk all things Y of Y on the pod this week, from the nomination process to an overview of each of the finalists. Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts 🎙️

⛵ The American Sailor Podcast: 2025 Year-End Wrap-Up!
As we look toward 2026, the official podcast of US Sailing is wrapping up the year with a special holiday episode. Hosts John Pierce, Whitney Kent, and Lexi Pine share major highlights from 2025 and what’s on the horizon for the sailing community.
Key Highlights:
• New Leadership: 2025 marked the start of Charlie Enright’s tenure as the new...⛵ The American Sailor Podcast: 2025 Year-End Wrap-Up!
As we look toward 2026, the official podcast of US Sailing is wrapping up the year with a special holiday episode. Hosts John Pierce, Whitney Kent, and Lexi Pine share major highlights from 2025 and what’s on the horizon for the sailing community.
Key Highlights:
• New Leadership: 2025 marked the start of Charlie Enright’s tenure as the new CEO of US Sailing, bringing a fresh, "doer" mentality to the organization.
• Epic Championship Season: It was a landmark year for championships, including the first mountain-hosted adult championship in Park City and the debut of foiling in the single-handed championships.
• Upcoming Symposiums: Get ready for 2026! Regional symposiums are kicking off in South Carolina (Jan 23-25), Seattle (Feb 21-22), and Rhode Island (March 18), plus the return of the National Coaching Symposium in Florida (Feb 18-19).
• Awards & Nominations: Don’t forget to nominate the "legends" in your community! Applications for association awards are open through December 31st.
• Mailbag Hot Take: The team discussed a passionate listener's suggestion to move high school and college sailing away from the traditional 420 toward more high-performance boats.
Action Items for Sailors: ✅ Sign up to host an instructor or safety course for 2026. ✅ Check out your US Sailing member benefits for discounts on gear like Revo sunglasses and SailFlow. ✅ Get away from the screens and go touch some waves!
Listen to the full episode at americansailing.org or on your favorite podcast platform!
#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #SailingLife #2026Sailing #GoSailing Show more

Ep 14 Notice Board: Holiday Edition!

Catch the year’s final American Sailor Episode where hosts John Pearce, Lexi Pline and Whitney Kent discuss their favorite highlights from 2025. Perfect listening while you do your last-minute wrapping or the drive to grandma’s house 🎄🎁

Sailors, catch up on the latest from the American Sailor Podcast!
⛵️🎙️In this "Notice Board" episode, hosts John Pierce, Whitney Kent, and Janelle Martin are joined by guest host and sailing legend Andrew Campbell!
Andrew brings his expertise as a 2008 Olympian, three-time America’s Cup competitor with American Magic, and current member of the SailGP USA team.
Here’s what’s inside the...Sailors, catch up on the latest from the American Sailor Podcast!
⛵️🎙️In this "Notice Board" episode, hosts John Pierce, Whitney Kent, and Janelle Martin are joined by guest host and sailing legend Andrew Campbell!
Andrew brings his expertise as a 2008 Olympian, three-time America’s Cup competitor with American Magic, and current member of the SailGP USA team.
Here’s what’s inside the episode:College Sailing Corner: A deep dive into the "Year of the Hoya" (2006) and Andrew’s decorated college career.
They also cover current results, including Harvard's win at the Open Atlantic Coast Championship and Stanford's victory in the Women's event.
Championship News: Updates on recent and upcoming events, including the J/70 Worlds in Buenos Aires (huge congrats to winner Laura Grondin!), the J/22 North Americans, and the Kennedy Cup.
SailGP Buzz: Andrew shares insights on the upcoming season finale in Abu Dhabi and the "Turkey legs on the foils" plan for Thanksgiving training.
Pro Tips: The "Say Yes to Sailing" philosophy—why the best way to learn is simply to get out on the water, no matter the boat or format.
Notable Shoutouts:Justin Callahan (Harvard) for winning his division at ACCs four years in a row!Vanessa Lahrkamp (Stanford) for her incredible dominance in both open and women’s circuits.
🎧 Listen now to get the full download on the industry news, regatta results, and sailing stories you don't want to miss.
#AmericanSailorPodcast #USSailing #CollegeSailing #SailGP #SailingLife #SayYesToSailing Show more

Ep. 11 Notice Board: Guest Host Andrew Campbell...

In this week’s episode, the crew is joined by guest host and sailing rockstar Andrew Campbell, chatting about youth sailing, college sailing, Olympics, America's Cup, SailGP and much more.

Legends & Leaders on the American Sailor Podcast!
This week, we are bringing you a double-header of sailing excellence. We sit down with the new "Chief" of US Sailing and a Newport icon who paved the way for women on the bow. ⛵️

⚓️ Part 1: The CEO Corner with Charlie Enright
Fresh off his first six months as CEO of US Sailing, Charlie Enright joins us to talk about his whirlwind tour of the U.S...Legends & Leaders on the American Sailor Podcast!
This week, we are bringing you a double-header of sailing excellence. We sit down with the new "Chief" of US Sailing and a Newport icon who paved the way for women on the bow. ⛵️

⚓️ Part 1: The CEO Corner with Charlie Enright
Fresh off his first six months as CEO of US Sailing, Charlie Enright joins us to talk about his whirlwind tour of the U.S. sailing scene.

On the Road: From the high-energy Blue Chip Regatta in Wisconsin to the inspiring USOPC Assembly in Salt Lake City as we look toward LA28.

Strategic Vision: Charlie gives us an inside look at the new US Sailing Strategic Plan (launching this November!) and his "myopic" focus on making sure US Sailing does the most important things exceptionally well.

The "Stoke" Award: A recap of the Archipelago Rally, where Charlie’s own kids took home the hardware!

🌟 Part 2: The Original "Bow Chick" – Martha Parker
We are honored to welcome Martha Parker, founder of Team 1 Newport, to share stories from her incredible 40-year career.

Breaking Glass Ceilings: Martha recalls being the first woman to win prize money in sailing and her days doing bow for America’s Cup legends.

Survival & Success: A raw look at the early days of Team 1 Newport—starting on a second floor with no budget, surviving "trial by fire" management, and the mentors who helped her turn a small shop into a 40-year legacy.

The Mantra: "If you told me I couldn't do something, I'd dig my heels in and prove you wrong."

📈 Also in this Episode:
Annapolis Boat Show Recap: 50,000 sailors, hundreds of conversations, and the return of the face-to-face sailing community.

Youth Champs News: The fierce battle for the IQFoil Youth World spot at Lauderdale Yacht Club.

🎧 Tune in to hear these two powerhouses discuss the past, present, and future of American sailing!

#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #SailingLife #CharlieEnright #MarthaParker #Team1Newport #WomenInSailing #NewportRI #SailingHistory Show more

Ep. 10 Interview: Newport icon Martha Parker

In this week's episode Janel interviews Martha Parker. They talk about Martha's firsts, Team One Newport, and so much more.

New Episode: The American Sailor Podcast – Meet the Chief!
In this week’s episode of the American Sailor Podcast, hosts John Pierce, Whitney Kent, and Janelle Martin are joined by a very special guest: Charlie Enright, the new CEO of US Sailing! ⛵️

After six months in the "big chair," Charlie sits down to discuss his whirlwind start, his vision for the future of the sport, and his recent...New Episode: The American Sailor Podcast – Meet the Chief!
In this week’s episode of the American Sailor Podcast, hosts John Pierce, Whitney Kent, and Janelle Martin are joined by a very special guest: Charlie Enright, the new CEO of US Sailing! ⛵️

After six months in the "big chair," Charlie sits down to discuss his whirlwind start, his vision for the future of the sport, and his recent adventures on and off the water.

📍 On the Road with the CEO
Charlie has been clocking some serious miles to connect with the sailing community across the country:

Wisconsin: Sailed as the "mystery guest" at the legendary Blue Chip Regatta (and wrote a "love letter" to the Scow community!).

Salt Lake City: Attended the USOPC Assembly, gaining inspiration for the upcoming LA28 and 2034 Olympic Games.

New York City: Honored with the Founders Award at the Hudson River Community Sailing Gala, highlighting the power of community-access programs.

Rhode Island: Kept it local at the Archipelago Rally, sailing with his daughter in a Dyer Dhow.

📈 The "CEO Corner" & Strategic Planning
Charlie shares an update on the new US Sailing Strategic Plan, set to be ratified at the AGM in November. His philosophy?

"Not everything can be a priority, because if that’s the case, nothing is a priority."

The focus is on creating a focused, high-impact roadmap for the organization that serves both current members and the sailors of the future.

⚓️ News from the Waterfront
Annapolis Boat Show: Whitney and Janelle recap an incredible turnout with over 50,000 attendees and a warm welcome back for US Sailing.

Championship Season: A look back at the US Youth Championship at Lauderdale Yacht Club, where the IQFoil fleet saw a high-stakes battle for the Youth Worlds spot between Garrett January and Makani Andrews.

🎧 Listen now to hear Charlie’s full "love letter" to the sport and what’s next for US Sailing!

#USSailing #AmericanSailorPodcast #SailingLife #CharlieEnright #LA28 #CommunitySailing Show more

Ep. 9 Notice Board: Guest Host Charlie Enright...

In this week’s episode, the crew is joined by special guest host, CEO Charlie Enright! Together, they recap an action-packed few weeks in the sailing world, discuss Charlie’s first six months on the job, and much more.