Tom McLaughlin's sailing career is enviable. Growing up in San Diego - then the hotbed of offshore racers -Tom was mentored by Dennis Connor, Buddy Melges and Lowell North. He’s raced in multiple Admirals Cups including the infamous 1979 Fastnet race, and gained deep experience of the America’s Cup through two challenger campaigns - he was training helmsmen racing for John Kolius in the New York Yacht Club's 1985 America II campaign, and Sailing Director of the 2007 AREVA Challenge in Valencia with Dawn Riley. All during a long career at North Sails. Tom's tenure in racing boats also includes maxis and super yachts, today however he's has found contentment racing Lido 14 one designs in Portland, Oregon.
In Part 1 we’ll hear Tom’s experience of the 1979 Fastnet tragedy, the evolution of sail design and its impact on racing performance, and the America II campaign.
What is Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing Sailors?
Sailfaster is the podcast for competitive sailors who want to sail faster and win more races. Each episode, host Pete Boland sits down with Olympic medallists, America's Cup and SailGP sailors, offshore racers and coaches to unpack starting technique, boat speed, race tactics, crew management, regatta preparation and race-day mindset — the details that separate the front of the fleet from the rest. Whether you race dinghies, one-designs, keelboats or offshore, you'll walk away with something to use on the water this weekend.