On the Wind Sailing

Lauren Topchik grew up in Maine and on boats. She was introduced to cruising as a high schooler driving the launch boat at her local yacht club. Word got out in the community that a young sailor was looking for her first boat, and soon Lauren was the proud owner of Cita. Lauren dove into living aboard, exploring the islands in Maine, and learning everything she could about being a sailboat owner. She now owns a bigger boat and works in the marine industry as the Community Manager at Dockwa. Her cruising dreams are very alive and ever evolving. -- ON THE WIND is presented by Forbes Yachts, the yacht sales professionals. Forbes Yachts sell the boats that allow you to effortlessly connect your passion for yachting to the sea, bringing your world one step closer to perfection. Visit forbesyachts.com to get in touch. -- ON THE WIND is also supported by SailTies, a free app that makes it easy to record all your sailing experience in one place. A digital record of all your voyages, certificates, crew, vessels and clubs. To find out more about SailTies, go to sailties.net.

Morten Landmark, skipper of the vintage Volvo Ocean 60, shares his journey from ocean racing to family cruising. He discusses the impressive history and design of his yacht, including its Kevlar sandwich structure. Listeners will enjoy stories of sailing mishaps and the camaraderie among crew during intense conditions. Insightful tips on boat maintenance and navigating the bureaucratic challenges of registration in Norway are also covered. Landmark's light-hearted anecdotes from competitive races highlight the joy and spirit of sailing.

In January 2024, Dr. Deborah Fish became the first woman ever to be elected commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. For 99 years, RORC, as it's better known, has been regarded as a premier organization for offshore racing globally, as well as a leading authority for safety at sea. Its most famous event – the Fastnet Race – Deb has completed in impressive 11 times. Despite having started sailing only in her 30s, Deb has an incredible sailing resume and now heads up one of the most influential organizations in offshore sailing worldwide. Not only is she promoting, but also living the truth – that offshore sailing is a sport for anyone, provided they are up for the challenge. -- ON THE WIND is presented by Forbes Yachts, the yacht sales professionals. Forbes Yachts sell the boats that allow you to effortlessly connect your passion for yachting to the sea, bringing your world one step closer to perfection. Visit forbesyachts.com to get in touch. -- ON THE WIND is also supported by SailTies, a free app that makes it easy to record all your sailing experience in one place. A digital record of all your voyages, certificates, crew, vessels and clubs. To find out more about SailTies, go to sailties.net.

Join Kiera and Tripp as they share their adventures aboard the Resilience, weaving tales of environmental and cultural preservation. They delve into the mechanics of Argo floats and their crucial role in marine research. Discover how their nonprofit began and evolved during tumultuous times, highlighting meaningful community connections. With reflections on travel curiosity and humorous seafaring misadventures, they emphasize the transformative power of genuine interactions and the joys of sailing for scientific exploration.

Porter Fox is a writer, lifelong sailor and author of the new book Category Five: Superstorms & the Warming Oceans that Feed Them. I was referred to Porter by our mutual friend John Kretschmer, who is a major character in the book. Porter is also the son of Able Marine founder and grew up in Maine amongst sailboats and boatyards. Porter and I had a long and winding conversation about sailing, weather, science and family. His new book is out now and widely available—I highly recommend it. Buy his book HERE. -- ON THE WIND is presented by Forbes Yachts, the yacht sales professionals. Forbes Yachts sell the boats that allow you to effortlessly connect your passion for yachting to the sea, bringing your world one step closer to perfection. Visit forbesyachts.com to get in touch. -- ON THE WIND is also supported by SailTies, a free app that makes it easy to record all your sailing experience in one place. A digital record of all your voyages, certificates, crew, vessels and clubs. To find out more about SailTies, go to sailties.net  

Jon Amtrup is an avid environmentalist, and one of the world's top high latitude skippers. He was an obvious choice for GREENPEACE for their arctic research expedition this summer, aboard their recently acquired sailboat WITNESS. She used to be named “Pelagic Australis” and was designed and built by Skip Novak. She is a unique expedition sailboat, as well adapted to the high Arctic as Jon himself. -- ON THE WIND is presented by Forbes Yachts, the yacht sales professionals. Forbes Yachts sell the boats that allow you to effortlessly connect your passion for yachting to the sea, bringing your world one step closer to perfection. Visit forbesyachts.com to get in touch. -- ON THE WIND is also supported by SailTies, a free app that makes it easy to record all your sailing experience in one place. A digital record of all your voyages, certificates, crew, vessels and clubs. To find out more about SailTies, go to sailties.net  

Vendee Globe sailor Pip Hare returns to the show for a 3rd time only one month before the start of her second Vendee Globe. In 2020, Pip became only the 8th woman to ever complete the Vendee Globe, and on a shoestring, crowdfunded budget to boot. In the years since, Pip has parlayed that hard work and early success into a second campaign aboard a new, faster and foiling IMOCA 60. I caught up with Pip to talk about everything from her fitness routine to making an IMOCA 60 fly in this super fun and meandering episode. Don't miss our half-day workshop in Annapolis on Friday Oct. 11, 'Offshore Cruising Distilled: The Sh*t That Matters Most!'. -- ON THE WIND is presented by Forbes Yachts, the yacht sales professionals. Forbes Yachts sell the boats that allow you to effortlessly connect your passion for yachting to the sea, bringing your world one step closer to perfection. Visit forbesyachts.com to get in touch. -- ON THE WIND is also supported by SailTies, a free app that makes it easy to record all your sailing experience in one place. A digital record of all your voyages, certificates, crew, vessels and clubs. To find out more about SailTies, go to sailties.net    

Join fascinating tales of seafaring adventures, including a gripping sailing journey through gale-force winds in Sweden. Hear about the unpredictable challenges faced between Chagos and Madagascar, where fierce waves tested the crew's resolve. Enjoy humorous mishaps during a boat trial in the English Channel, showcasing both the struggles and the sheer joy of sailing. The podcast also touches on the bittersweet reality of life at sea, balancing romantic notions with the grit of seafaring, all while building excitement for an upcoming boat show.

Nigel Calder, a leading expert in yacht systems and a passionate inventor, shares the bittersweet experience of selling his beloved Malö 46, Nada. He delves into the custom features that made her unique and the emotional challenges of downsizing. The conversation highlights modern sailing technology, including lithium batteries and electrical efficiency. Calder also discusses innovations in boat design and the importance of well-thought-out modifications for safety and performance while at sea.

Skip Novak, a seasoned sailor with over 50 years of experience and a noted author, shares insights from his new book on sailing. He discusses the clash between traditional and modern sailing, advocating for simpler, more enjoyable experiences. The conversation navigates challenges in remote sailing destinations and the importance of inclusivity and gender representation in the industry. Novak emphasizes the need for safety and proper seamanship while maintaining a balance between adventure and personal aspirations.