The Foil Podcast

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1. Could sailing be dropped from the Olympics? | The Foil Podcast Ep 45

   4 november 2026 · 55 min

   Afspelen
   Could sailing lose its place in the Olympics—and what needs to change to keep it there? Lees meer

   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

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2. Route du Rhum 2026 preview: the biggest solo race in the world | The Foil Podcast Ep 44

   29 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 6 min

   Afspelen
   What makes the Route du Rhum one of offshore sailing’s great spectacles? Lees meer

   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

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3. Loïck Peyron: tales from eight Routes du Rhum | Off Diary

   27 oktober 2026 · 52 min

   Afspelen
   What happens when your trimaran breaks apart in an Atlantic storm—and your first instinct is to sleep? Lees meer

   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

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4. Does SailGP have an age problem? | The Foil Podcast Ep 43

   21 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 4 min

   Afspelen
   Does SailGP have an age problem — or an opportunity problem? Lees meer

   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
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5. TP52 Season Review 2026: winners, wobbles and what’s next | The Foil Debrief

   16 oktober 2026 · 36 min

   Afspelen
   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
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6. Has technology ruined sailing? | The Foil Podcast Ep 42

   14 oktober 2026 · 1 uur

   Afspelen
   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. Lees meer

   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.

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   #TheFoil #WeAreTheFoil #AmericasCup
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7. Ewan McGregor goes offshore, America's Cup Q&A & match racing dominance | The Foil Podcast Ep 41

   7 oktober 2026 · 41 min

   Afspelen
   The Foil Podcast is brought to you by Musto. Lees meer

   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.

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   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?

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8. What the America's Cup warm-up events could count for - The Foil Debrief

   30 september 2026 · 31 min

   Afspelen
   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. Lees meer

   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

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9. Not everyone left Naples smiling | The Foil Podcast Ep 40

   30 september 2026 · 52 min

   Afspelen
   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? Lees meer

   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

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   #TheFoil #AmericasCup #Sailing #RouteDuRhum #WomensSailing
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10. Who made a statement in Naples? | The Foil Debrief

    27 september 2026 · 20 min

    Afspelen
    Luna Rossa finish Naples in style—but what did we learn about the rest of the America’s Cup fleet? Lees meer

    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

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