The Foil Podcast

Who deserves to be crowned World Sailor of the Year? Neil Cole, Freddie Carr and Andy Rice examine every nominee in the men’s, women’s and Team of the Year categories at the 2026 World Sailing Awards. From offshore records to Olympic-class dominance, they debate the achievements, the difficult comparisons and the names missing from the shortlists. Plus, Route du Rhum headlines and your questions following last week’s debate about sailing’s Olympic future. What matters most for the sport: Olympic medals, grassroots participation or changing the way we race? Who would get your vote? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe for more independent sailing discussion from The Foil. 00:00 Introduction & sailing headlines 08:03 Men’s Sailor of the Year 26:20 Women’s Sailor of the Year 41:47 Team of the Year 52:46 Viewer Q&A — sailing’s Olympic future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could sailing lose its place in the Olympics—and what needs to change to keep it there? Andy Rice, Freddie Carr and Neil Cole debate the future of Olympic sailing: the pressure to attract viewers, the cost of staging competition, and the difficult choices facing the sport ahead of Brisbane 2032. Should reliable racing matter more than spectacular boats? Could SailGP’s broadcast expertise help? And do viewers care about the equipment—or are they simply cheering for their country, even if it’s playing tiddlywinks? We discuss ILCA, 49er and 49erFX, iQFOiL, Formula Kite, Nacra 17 and the mixed 470, plus the case for wingfoiling and a mixed keelboat event. Which classes would make YOUR Olympic sailing line-up? Tell us in the comments. 00:00 Adapt or die: the opening debate00:38 Why the next six months matter08:16 What Olympic sailing needs to deliver22:06 Better broadcasts—and what SailGP could bring34:57 Which sailing classes should stay?45:00 Our dream Olympic sailing line-ups Subscribe to The Foil for more sailing debate, interviews and stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What makes the Route du Rhum one of offshore sailing’s great spectacles? Marcus Hutchinson joins Neil Cole and Andy Rice for a Route du Rhum special, exploring the history, personalities and high stakes of racing solo across the Atlantic from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe. From the dramatic first edition and the storms of 2002 to the latest foiling giants, we look at why this race means so much in France—and who to watch this time. Andy shares his experience aboard Gitana 18, while Marcus weighs up the Ultim and IMOCA contenders, the importance of preparation, and the hazards of racing at extraordinary speeds. We also discuss offshore sailing’s sponsorship model, collision-avoidance technology, the enduring appeal of older boats, and how to follow the action. 00:00 Coming Up and Introductions 06:08 The Route du Rhum Explained 09:34 Origins of French Offshore Racing 16:03 Dramatic Finishes and Sailing Sponsorship 26:18 Storms, Rescues and Remarkable Returns 33:00 Aboard Gitana 18 37:36 Ultim Contenders and Collision Risks 46:52 IMOCA and Other Class Contenders 56:16 Why Winners Still Need Sponsors 58:13 Following the Race and Farewells Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What happens when your trimaran breaks apart in an Atlantic storm—and your first instinct is to sleep? Loïck Peyron joins Freddie and Andy on The Foil Off Diary to tell the extraordinary stories behind his eight Route du Rhum appearances, from his first crossing aged 22 to his record-breaking victory in 2014. Loïck recounts the destruction of Fujifilm during the 2002 race, his dramatic rescue by a cargo ship, and the unexpected phone call that brought him back to win aboard Banque Populaire VII twelve years later. Along the way, we explore Éric Tabarly’s influence, the emotional reunion with his father at the finish of his first Rhum, and what it takes to manoeuvre a giant Ultim trimaran alone. Loïck also reflects on sailing Happy with a sextant, the value of fear, and why offshore adventure captures imaginations far beyond the sailing world. Which Loïck story stayed with you? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe to The Foil for more sailing 00:00 Tabarly and the Route du Rhum’s origins 06:03 2002: Storm, survival and rescue aboard Fujifilm 20:05 1982: His first Rhum and family reunion 26:43 2014: The unexpected Banque Populaire call-up 32:47 2014: Handling an Ultim and claiming victory 40:40 2016–2018: Rediscovering adventure aboard classic boats 44:43 Sailing’s cultural impact and environmental legacy Become a member now: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreTheFoil/join Website: https://thefoil.com/ Instagram: @wearethefoil Facebook: wearethefoil Threads: @wearethefoil LinkedIn: The Foil Podcast: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2217026422 Thanks for watching - please like, share and comment. Please also hit subscribe to show your support so we'll keep doing what we're doing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does SailGP have an age problem — or an opportunity problem? This week on The Foil Podcast, Neil Cole, Freddie Carr and Andy Rice take on Russell Coutts’s challenge to the sport’s established stars. Experience wins races, but how does the next generation get a chance to prove itself? The team debate age rules, development pathways and whether SailGP needs a feeder series. Andy has also been up close with Ferrari Hypersail — an “outsized Batmobile” with ambitions to rewrite offshore sailing. From solar panels to winch technology, he explains why this could be the most exciting boat of its generation. Then it’s over to Pensacola, where SailGP’s new training operation could change the game. More time on an F50 means proper testing, opportunities for reserves and nowhere to hide when the performance data comes in. Could this be the breakthrough young sailors have been waiting for? Plus: your overwhelming response to our foiling versus displacement poll, Freddie enjoys a Bermuda Gold Cup prediction coming good, and Andy reports back from the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Should SailGP make room for younger sailors through the rules, or should teams simply pick their fastest crew? Let us know in the comments. Episode 43 is brought to you by Musto. Explore the collection at https://www.musto.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices