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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

Our 2026 52 Super Series season review, with on-the-water reporter Katie Dabson and Super Series veteran Simon ‘Stir Fry’ joining Freddie Carr to talk through a record-breaking year.Sixteen boats from 11 nations lined up in Valencia, the biggest fleet in 52 Super Series history, after a season that served up everything from survival conditions in Lanzarote to sub-eight-knot drifters. So where does 2026 rank for a man who has raced 104 of the circuit’s 107 regattas – and how did a season tipped as a five- or six-boat scrap end up as a two-boat fight between Platoon and Sled?The three run through all five events: Sled’s masthead heroics in Puerto Portals, Trinity Racing’s remarkable debut at the Worlds in Porto Cervo, Paprec’s long-awaited breakthrough in the Rubicon breeze, the Puerto Calero regatta that turned the season on its head, and the Valencia showdown, where a title fight in a record fleet turned into a match race.Katie brings a spreadsheet stat that explains more than any single race win, while Stir Fry makes the case for why 50-footers still hold a magic all of their own – and reckons he knows how many boats have got it in them to win next season.Read more: https://thefoil.com/news/platoon-aviation-s-consistency-seals-a-classic-52-super-series-season/Freddie’s pre-season rundown of the fleet: https://thefoil.com/news/freddie-carr-s-season-preview-52-super-series-2026/Listen to our podcast on Spotify and other platforms: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2217026422Follow @wearethefoil across all platforms – Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.#TheFoil #WeAreTheFoil #52SuperSeries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Has technology ruined sailing? That’s the question on The Foil Podcast episode 42, as Neil Cole, Freddie Carr and Andy Rice take on the foiling tech vs old-school sailing debate that’s dividing our comments section. When we launched The Foil, we assumed SailGP and the America's Cup would be our bread and butter. Then Cowes Week 200 happened, and the Mini Maxis, Wally 100s and 52 Super Series started matching them for views and comments. So what’s going on? Freddie, fresh from the J Class in St Tropez and the 52 Super Series finale in Valencia, makes the case for proper sail trimming. The team picks apart positional feedback on the AC75, whether LiDAR should be allowed in the TP52 fleet, Northstar’s rethink of the IRC rule and the growing chasm between grassroots racing and the top of the sport. There’s also an off-the-record remark from a Cup team boss that’ll raise a few eyebrows. Shona Gibson then joins to bring the news round-up: a revamped Bermuda Gold Cup with four female helms, 1,858 boats at the Barcolana in Trieste, 40-knot runs at the Sardinia Kiteboard Grand Slam, the 52 Super Series title decider and a preview of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. And Andy checks in from Pisa, on his way to Ferrari Hypersail – armed with Freddie’s questions. Become a member now: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreTheFoil/join Follow @wearethefoil across all platforms – Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube. Listen to our podcast on Spotify and other platforms: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2217026422 #TheFoil #WeAreTheFoil #AmericasCup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Foil Podcast is brought to you by Musto. This week on The Foil Podcast, Neil is joined by Andy Rice, Freddie Carr and Shona Gibson for a packed episode covering everything from Ewan McGregor's transatlantic sailing adventure to the latest debates surrounding the America's Cup, SailGP and offshore racing. The team discusses whether Ewan McGregor's voyage from Scotland to Brazil is a celebrity gimmick or a genuine offshore challenge that could help push sailing further into the mainstream. We also dive into your questions and comments following the recent America's Cup action, including the growing divide between traditional sailing and the high-speed foiling world, whether augmented reality could find its way into sailing, AC40 vs SailGP racing and just how much America's Cup knowledge moves between rival teams. Plus, Shona and Andy look back at Pauline Courtois' dominant Women's Match Racing World Championship victory in San Francisco, before discussing the incredibly close Offshore Double Handed World Championship — and whether offshore racing could eventually find its way into the Olympic Games. And finally, we look ahead to what's coming next across The Foil, including the latest from the 52 Super Series and the growing Switch fleet. 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. 00:00 Ewan McGregor takes on the Atlantic 03:56 Live from the 52 Super Series 04:35 America's Cup & SailGP Q&A 19:00 Women's Match Racing World Championship 27:16 Offshore Double Handed World Championship 34:15 What's next in the sailing world? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mozzy's back. He's spent the summer on the beach sailing a Mirror, but the America's Cup has “summoned” him back “like a demon from the deep”, and he's brought some opinions with him. He thinks the two AC40 preliminary regattas “mean pretty much nothing”, so he has ideas to change that: extra wind tunnel time, extra budget, or testing development foils on the racecourse. Freddie has raced when a warm-up series point was “worth tens of millions of pounds”, so he knows what it's like when these events really count. They also get into the racing in Naples. Luna Rossa won seven of 11 races with a newly formed crew, Peter Burling took on the Kiwis in the final, the French found a new gear, the mid-fleet battle was tight, and it was a tough weekend for GB1 and GB2. Plus, Mozzy on when the AC75 foil season finally kicks off. What would you make the teams race for? Let us know in the comments. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:48 Naples as a great Cup venue 03:07 What could the warm-up events count for? 06:57 Luna Rossa technical review 09:56 Luna Rossa team picks 17:05 ETNZ second to third best 18:58 French punching above their weight 20:10 44-point teams 22:09 What will GB1 and GB2 take away? 25:07 AC75 Relevance 27:03 Outro Become a member now:    / @wearethefoil   Website: https://thefoil.com/ Instagram: @wearethefoil Facebook: wearethefoil Threads: @wearethefoil LinkedIn: The Foil Podcast: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2... 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

Naples brought the crowds, the drama and a taste of what next year’s America’s Cup could deliver. But how much did we really learn from the preliminary regatta? Neil Cole, Andy Rice, Lewis Smith and Shona Gibson break down the weekend: the atmosphere on the waterfront, what the results tell us about the teams, and why getting a reliable boat onto the racecourse is still part of the competition. Then we head to Lorient, where Andy explores the heart of French offshore racing ahead of the Route du Rhum. Could Gitana 18 really cover 1,000 nautical miles in a day? Plus: the World Sailing Inclusion Championships, the Women’s Match Racing Worlds in San Francisco, Lewis’s visit to Oliver Heer Racing, and the debate over offshore sailing’s Olympic ambitions. Could round-the-clock coverage bring new fans to the sport—or do cameras on board come at a cost? What was your biggest takeaway from Naples? Let us know in the comments. CHAPTERS 00:00 Coming Up & Welcome 03:47 Naples: Ready for America’s Cup? 08:32 What Did We Learn? 23:57 Who Impressed? Who Must Improve? 29:49 Lorient, Gitana & Offshore Racing 35:22 World Sailing Inclusion Championships 36:02 Women’s Match Racing Worlds 40:10 Inside Oliver Heer Racing 41:14 Offshore Racing’s Olympic Ambitions 46:50 Sailing’s Big Brother Cameras Become a member now: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreTheFoil/join Website: https://thefoil.com/ Follow us: @wearethefoil on Instagram & Threads | wearethefoil on Facebook | The Foil on LinkedIn Podcast: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2217026422 Thanks for watching—please like, share and comment. Hit subscribe to show your support so we can keep doing what we’re doing. #TheFoil #AmericasCup #Sailing #RouteDuRhum #WomensSailing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luna Rossa finish Naples in style—but what did we learn about the rest of the America’s Cup fleet? Andy Rice and Shona Gibson break down the final day, from Luna Rossa’s commanding match-race win over Emirates Team New Zealand to France’s impressive pace and costly capsizes. We also unpack the extraordinary four-way tie on 44 points, the women’s and youth teams’ performances, and a difficult week for the British. Plus: what does Naples promise as a venue for next year’s America’s Cup? CHAPTERS 00:00 Luna Rossa dominate Naples 00:46 Luna Rossa’s young talent delivers 02:02 How the final slipped away from New Zealand 03:44 France: speed, capsizes and a missed opportunity 05:36 Four teams tied! USA take fourth 07:04 New Zealand win the women’s and youth battle 08:29 Alinghi: seventh tells only part of the story 09:30 GB1: were we judging them too harshly? 10:44 GB2 finish last—and what this means for Britain 13:20 Naples verdict: a taste of next year’s America’s Cup Who impressed you most in Naples—and which team has the most work to do? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to The Foil for more sailing analysis, interviews and our review podcast. #AmericasCup #LunaRossa #Sailing 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

A win, a capsize, then another win. La Roche-Posay gave us the full rollercoaster on Day 2 of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples, recovering from their second capsize in two days to finish on a high. Andy and Shona unpack four thrilling races, from Nathan Outteridge putting Luna Rossa under pressure at the start to Emirates Team New Zealand’s Women & Youth crew taking a memorable victory. We look at the battle for the final, ARC Team USA’s strong starts and costly penalties, and why even Luna Rossa can struggle when caught in the pack. Plus, what the onboard audio reveals about staying calm when everything is happening at speed. Who will make the final? Let us know your predictions in the comments. 00:00 France’s Capsize And Remarkable Comeback01:28 Outteridge Puts Luna Rossa Under Pressure02:42 Standings, USA’s Starts And Costly Penalties03:57 Luna Rossa Caught In The Pack04:43 Onboard Audio: Calm Amid The Chaos06:33 Who Will Reach The Final? Subscribe to The Foil for more sailing analysis, interviews and updates from Naples. #AmericasCup #Sailing #TheFoil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Rice and Shona Gibson break down the opening day of AC40 racing in the Bay of Naples.Day one at the second Preliminary Regatta of the 38th America’s Cup began with crews falling off the foils and hiking to keep the boats flat, and ended with them almost overpowered. The organisers' decision to stretch the broadcast window paid off with two race for the America’s Cup fleet.Andy and Shona pick through the drama, starting with the French team's OCS at the start of race two and the nosedive and capsize that followed. They look at how Tudor Team Alinghi bounced back from a tough opener with Pete Burling and Marco Gradoni's Luna Rossa senior crew pressing all the way round. They also explain why a two-board leeward gate rounding might not be the 'training wheels' move it appears to be.The debrief also covers ARC USA's contrasting fortunes, a quietly consistent day for Emirates Team New Zealand, and a standout showing from the GB2 Women & Youth crew featuring Hannah Mills and Olympic champion Ellie Aldridge. There is some head-scratching for Dylan Fletcher and GB1, and a look ahead at the forecast for the four races planned tomorrow.Read more: https://thefoil.com/news/home-favourites-in-front-after-a-waiting-game-in-naples/Follow @wearethefoil across all platforms – Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.Listen to our podcast on Spotify and other platforms: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2217026422#TheFoil #WeAreTheFoil #AmericasCup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nine months to the America’s Cup—and plenty to settle on and off the water. Neil Cole, Andy Rice and Freddie Carr welcome Shona Gibson to The Foil Podcast for episode 39, covering: ⛵ SailGP Geneva: light-air racing, behind-the-scenes paddock access and the battle for the final Grand Final spot. 🇮🇹 The road to Naples: what the AC40 regatta can tell us about the next America’s Cup, the team line-ups, women and youth taking on established stars, and the challenges of the racecourse. ⚖️ Another America’s Cup legal battle: the dispute between North Sails and Emirates Team New Zealand over sail technology, inventorship and ownership. 🏆 The inaugural New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship: Shona shares her experience competing, the depth of talent across the fleet and what the event means for women’s keelboat sailing. Who are you backing in Naples? Let us know in the comments. Become a member now: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreTheFoil/join Website: https://thefoil.com/ Instagram: @wearethefoil Facebook: wearethefoil Threads: @wearethefoil LinkedIn: The Foil 00:00 Episode Highlights 01:00 Meet Shona Gibson 03:00 SailGP Geneva and Grand Final Battle 08:57 Naples AC40 Preview: Teams and Stakes 34:36 Does AC40 Success Predict Cup Performance? 36:34 America’s Cup Sponsorship and Race Calendar 40:17 Naples Course: Wind, Waves and Tactics 44:30 North Sails–Team New Zealand Patent Dispute 51:49 New York Yacht Club Women’s Championship 59:53 Women’s Match Racing and Closing Stories 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

This is The Foil Debrief for SailGP Geneva, recorded in the tech zone with the F50s still rolling in behind us.Andy Rice and Freddie Carr talk through a weekend that had no right to be as good as it was. Barely any breeze, big holes on the race course, boats foiling past boats that weren't – and a race committee that quietly binned the broadcast window to get two complete qualifying series and a grand final away.From there we examine the split-fleet format, brutal as ever, where thirty seconds at the back of the start box decided Emirates GBR's weekend. The stick-or-twist conversations already happening behind containers as a 14th team comes online, and a heavy hint from Martine Grael about who might be driving it.Then the final – a late, scruffy gybe that looked like it had cost SailGP's season leaders everything, and the thinking behind it that only makes sense once you hear it. Plus the third-place scrap between Artemis, USA and Emirates GBR, a broken collarbone against a six-week gap, and whether Geneva is a great venue just waiting for the wind to turn up.Follow @wearethefoil across all platforms – Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.Read more: https://thefoil.com/news/los-gallos-snatch-geneva-from-the-flying-roos/Listen to our podcast on Spotify and other platforms: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/NSR2217026422#TheFoil #WeAreTheFoil #SailGP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two SailGP driver changes, a tightening fight at the end of the Ocean Race Atlantic and big America’s Cup team news — it’s been a packed week in sailing. Neil Cole is joined by Andy Rice, Freddie Carr and Lewis Smith for episode 38 of The Foil Podcast, your independent take on sail racing, both foiling and non-foiling. First, we unpack the spectacular Ocean Race Atlantic finish, with four very different IMOCA boats arriving within half an hour of each other. What did we learn about the new designs, why is hand steering making a comeback, and could closer racing and better onboard coverage bring back the Ocean Race’s glory days? Then it’s SailGP ahead of Geneva. Taylor Canfield’s injury puts pressure on the USA just as their battle with Artemis and Emirates GBR heats up. We discuss the possible replacements, Martine Grael’s departure from Mubadala Brazil and what Paul Goodison taking the wheel could mean for the team. Plus, the light-wind forecast, Switzerland’s home prospects and why we could see some properly ruthless sailing. Finally, we look ahead to AC38 and break down Australia’s sailing line-up: familiar faces, proven partnerships and a strong emphasis on team culture. Where might Kyle Langford fit into the picture? And what does Luna Rossa’s reshuffle mean for Marco Gradoni, the senior team and the next generation of Cup talent? Who’s your pick to claim the final SailGP Grand Final spot? Let us know in the comments. Become a member now: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreTheFoil/join00:00:00 Start 00:08:48 Ocean Race Atlantic takeaways 00:16:48 SailGP Geneva preview 00:25:31 Martine Grael leaves Brazil 00:35:52 SailGP Geneva race predictions 00:40:49 Switzerland’s home SailGP 00:44:15 Australia’s America’s Cup team 00:53:40 Luna Rossa reshuffles its team 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

It’s been a huge week for Olympic sailing, with new World Champions crowned in the ILCA 6 and IQFOiL fleets – and some intriguing signs ahead of LA 2028. Lewis Smith and Andy Rice join Neil to break down Charlotte Rose’s dominant ILCA 6 World Championship victory, Emma Plasschaert’s remarkable consistency and the return of Annalise Murphy in Dublin Bay. Then attention turns to Weymouth for the IQFOiL World Championships. We look at the new medal series format, Israeli dominance in the women’s fleet, a surprising result for Emma Wilson and Luuc van Opzeeland’s victory in a stacked men’s field. Plus, what do the latest results tell us about the USA’s prospects on home waters at LA 2028? And is Olympic sailing finally finding better ways to make its racing accessible and exciting to watch? 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. 00:00:00 Start 00:00:21 ILCA 6 World Championships 00:07:30 IQFOiL World Championships 00:09:32 New IQFOiL medal format 00:10:46 Women’s IQFOiL results 00:12:45 Men’s IQFOiL results 00:15:49 Formula Kite Europeans 00:16:58 What’s next for Olympic sailing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices