On the Wind Sailing
Sports
About
The definitive podcast about sailing. Professional sailors Andy Schell, Mia Karlsson and August Sandberg interview sailors from around the world to discover what motivates, scares & inspires them. For over twelve years and through 490+ episodes, our hosts have interviewed sailors like Dee Caffari, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Liz Clark, John Kretschmer, Kirsten Neuschafer, Nigel Calder, Pip Hare & many, many more. We talk to boat builders, yacht designers, YouTube stars, performance racers, and family cruisers. HOLD FAST!
Episodes
- Andy Schell ARCHIVE // Mentally Preparing to go Offshore (2014)
This episode features Andy Schell discussing the critical role of mental preparation in offshore sailing, emphasizing it as more important than boat gear or weather. He shares insights from marathon training, solo journeys, and a personal…
- Matt Rutherford // Around the Arctic (in a Valiant This Time!)
Matt Rutherford plans to circumnavigate the Arctic, sailing above the Northwest and Northeast passages in a Valiant 42. This voyage follows his 2011 achievement of being the first and only person to sail solo and non-stop around the Americ…
- Mia & Andy // 2025 Year-In-Review (Only 3 Months Late!)
Mia and Andy reflect on the year 2025 in this episode, sharing stories and reflections from their sailing experiences with 59º North. The review was recorded three months after the year concluded.
- Ben Soofer // Making a career in sailing
Ben Soofer discusses his career in sailing, starting with media work for 59 North and this podcast, progressing to mate roles, and eventually launching his own business. He shares past experiences and insights into building a career from a…
- Francesca Clapcich // The 1st Italian to Win The Ocean Race
Francesca Clapcich, an Olympian and world champion, made history as the first Italian to win The Ocean Race in 2023. She also led an all-female trimaran campaign and is preparing for the 2028 Vendée Globe with 11th Hour Racing.
- Nikki Henderson // Writing, Racing and Life
Nikki Henderson returns to On the Wind to discuss sailing, life, and philosophy. The conversation explores Henderson's writing process, from idea to execution, and how experiences influence her work. They also cover racing and post-passage…
- Troy Sears // Schooner AMERICA
Troy Sears, captain of the Schooner AMERICA, shares insights into the history of the America's Cup and his extensive career sailing the ship globally. The interview also touches on his daily whale watching trips and life aboard.
- John Kretschmer // Seam'nship, Racing, Life & NOT Retiring!
John Kretschmer returns to the podcast to discuss sailing philosophy and seamanship. The episode addresses rumors of his retirement and includes a guest appearance by Mia.
- Chris Kobusch & Sophie O'Neill // From Clipper Race to Antarctica & Beyond
Chris Kobusch and Sophie O'Neill, professional sailors and friends of 59º North, share their experiences including sailing in the Clipper Race, working in Antarctica, refitting their boat OCEAN WANDERER, and their new project to build and…
- Jahn Tihansky // Racer, Sailmaker, Coach and Entrepreneur
Jahn Tihansky shares details about his sailing career with Andy Schell, covering his experience in racing, establishing sailmaking and sailing businesses, and his tenure as head sailing coach at the U.S. Naval Academy.
- Ari Huusela // First Finn to Finish the Vendée Globe
Ari Huusela, an aircraft mechanic and pilot from Helsinki, became the first person from the Nordic countries to complete the Vendée Globe. Known as the "Super happy sailor" for his positivity, he joined the podcast from the Norwegian Arcti…
- Matt Rutherford // On Adventure, Fear & Solo Sailing Around the Arctic
Matt Rutherford details his ambitious plan to sail solo and non-stop around the Arctic, traversing both the Northwest and Northeast passages. The discussion, recorded in Annapolis, touches upon his inspiring adventures, minimalist approach…
- James Evenson // Sailing Zingaro & What is Seam'nship?
James Evenson, known as Sailing Zingaro, shares insights from his extensive sailing experience and YouTube career. The discussion explores his life before sailing, his time in the Navy, and the definition of seamanship, including the disti…
- Pär Nyman // GGR 2026 & Sailing Spirituality
Pär Nyman, a Swedish sailor preparing for the 2026 Golden Globe Race, shares details about his journey and sailing spirituality. He discusses his experience sailing from Sweden to Norway in his Rustler 36 Lazy Otter and meeting fellow comp…
- Mara Løvenskiold // From Fencer & Bobsled Athlete to the Golden Globe Race
Mara Løvenskiold, a Norwegian athlete transitioning from fencing and bobsledding to solo sailing, details her journey and preparations for the 2026 Golden Globe Race. She previously completed a three-year circumnavigation.
- Sidse Birk Johannsen // From Denmark to Greenland
Solo sailor Sidse Birk Johannsen details her preparations for sailing from Denmark to Greenland, her past experiences as a teacher in Greenland, and her goals to encourage women in sailing through her books and talks.
- Cole Brauer // The First American Woman to Race Around the World
Cole Brauer, the first American woman to complete a solo, non-stop race around the world in 2024, shares her experiences. She discusses overcoming doubts about her abilities and connecting with over 450,000 fans by sharing her solitary jou…
- Daniel Alfredsson // Golden Globe Race 2026
Commercial diver Daniel Alfredsson is preparing his boat in Bergen, Norway, for the 2026 Golden Globe Race, a solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation using traditional technology.
- Dan & Kika // Sailing Uma Exclusive
Dan and Kika of Sailing Uma share their experiences with refitting their boat, navigating visa problems, and encountering border agents. They also touch on the possibility of purchasing a new boat in Canada.
- "Ankring" // Andy & August
Andy Schell and August Sandberg discuss anchoring techniques in Swedish and Norwegian archipelagos. The conversation was prompted by Andy's viral video demonstrating the removal of SPICA's bow anchor, which generated significant discussion.
- Logan & Caroline Rowell // Sea People StartUp
Logan and Caroline Rowell, founders of the SeaPeople app, explain their motivation for creating a tool for cruiser connectivity, noting that offshore communication is decades behind current technology. The conversation covers the balance b…
- Max Campbell // ELIXIR Sails Halfway Around the World
Max Campbell joins the podcast to discuss his Swan 37 'ELIXIR's' refit in New Zealand and its journey halfway around the world as part of his 'Untide' project. He shares his progress since 2019 and outlines future plans for himself and the…
- Mark Sinclair // Captain Coconut Around the World
Mark Sinclair joins On the Wind from FALKEN in Nuku Hiva, discussing his fourth circumnavigation attempt, sailing alongside the Mini Globe Race fleet and his past experiences with GGR founder Don McIntyre. The conversation also touches on…
- Victoria Low // Magenta Project CEO
Victoria Low, the new CEO of The Magenta Project, brings over 30 years of sailing communications experience to her role, including work on the Volvo Ocean Race. She advocates for women in sailing, aiming to address discrimination and creat…
- Dan Turner // Around the World with the Mini Globe
Dan Turner, an Australian man in his 40s, is attempting to sail around the world in a 19-ft homebuilt boat to fulfill a lifelong ambition. He has previously accomplished numerous other bucket-list items, including ultra-running and martial…
- Women & the Wind // Adventuring aboard Mara Noka
Kiana, Laerke, and Alizé sailed across the Atlantic on the catamaran 'Mara Noka', raising awareness about plastic in oceans. Their journey involved a year-long refit and traditional sailing methods, with Alizé documenting the experience th…
- Ben Shaw // Out the Gate & Across the Pacific
Ben Shaw rejoins the podcast to discuss his family's two years of living aboard their Hallberg Rassy, DOVKA, with their young children. Topics include their Pacific crossing, ocean sailing, and his podcast, Out the Gate.
- Will & Sarah Curry // Hydrovane Operations & Life Balance
Will and Sarah Curry share insights into operating the Hydrovane from their catamaran, balancing life at sea and home in Vancouver with two children, and adapting to a life of change and adventure.
- Richard Clarke // Canadian Sailing Legend
Richard Clarke, a Canadian sailing legend raised on Toronto Island, discusses his career, including competing in four Olympic Games in the Finn Class and setting multiple world records. He is also a part of a winning Volvo Round the World…
- Bob & Jody Bitchin' // From Bikers to Sailors
Bob recounts his past as a Hells Angel, his entrepreneurial ventures, and how sailing impacted his life. Jody discusses her journey from fear to confidence at sea and how their shared mindset helped them overcome significant loss, includin…
- Jessie Zevalkink // Cruising, Land-lubbing, Parenting & Podcasting
Jessie Zevalkink, a friend of the podcast, returns to discuss her life after cruising, single-parenting, and her new role as the upcoming host of the On the Wind podcast. She was first interviewed in 2017 after completing the Great Loop.
- Ben Doerr Returns // Sail Bainbridge
Ben Doerr, founder of Sail Bainbridge, returns to On the Wind Sailing to discuss his life and adventures with host Andy. Topics include sailing and skiing in Alaska, family life, and his new Sail2Run project.
- Louay Habib // The Master of Sailing Media
Louay Habib, a communications manager for the Royal Ocean Racing Club with two decades of experience reporting on sailing, shares insights from his career covering major offshore races. He is known for communicating the sport's drama and p…
- Katy Campbell // Founder of Sea to Sky Sailing School
Katy Campbell, founder of Sea to Sky Sailing School and a friend of the host, discusses her decade-long entrepreneurial journey. Her school is the only RYA-recognized training center on North America's west coast, offering both cruising an…
- Matt Rutherford // A Near-Sinking En Route to Bermuda
Matt Rutherford discusses a near-sinking incident during a Caribbean sailing delivery. He recounts riding out a gale with pumps running, facing rudder loss, and ultimately reaching Bermuda safely. The episode is supported by Forbes Yachts…
- Jesse Terry // Sailing & Racing a Classic Wooden Boat
Jesse Terry discusses the challenges and rewards of owning and racing a classic wooden ketch, contrasting his normal daily life with his passion for sailing. The episode covers maintaining the wooden boat and a recent Bermuda Race experien…
- Paul Osborne // Sailing Around the World for Down Syndrome
Paul Osborne is preparing for a multi-year circumnavigation with his family to raise awareness for Down Syndrome. He shared details about planning this adventure, his experiences as a dad, and his career as a photographer and designer.
- Don McIntyre Returns // OGR Founder & Philosophies on Sailing & Adventure
Don McIntyre, founder of the GGR and OGR, returns to the podcast to discuss his philosophies on life, sailing, and adventure, including his definition of success and how he funds his events.
- Peter Gibbons-Neff // Completing the Mini-Transat
Peter Gibbons-Neff returns to the podcast to discuss his Mini-Transat racing campaign, detailing challenges such as losing a rudder, the difficulties of solo sailing a small boat, and his aspirations for the future.
- David Cross // The Loan Sailor
Author David Cross interviewed the podcast host about a fictional solo, offshore passage to Brazil for his book. The conversation aimed to ensure the voyage's realism.
- Andrew Hesketh // Corporate to Cruiser
Andy Hesketh, founder of the Odyssey Sailing Festival and host of the Ocean Cruiser's Podcast, discusses his journey from a corporate career to living aboard his sailboat, VOYAGER, full-time.
- Andy & Mia // 2024 Year-in-Review
Mia and Andy of 59º North discuss their 2024 successes and failures, alongside new projects and family plans for 2025 in this year-in-review episode. The recording took place on board FALKEN.
- Lin Pardey & David Haigh // Cruising Memories
This episode features legendary sailor Lin Pardey and David Haigh, discussing Pardey's life after her husband Larry, her inspirations, and their continued pursuit of sailing adventures. Pardey, known for her voyages in an engineless boat,…
- Gurra Krantz // Över Atlanten TV Show
Gunnar Krantz joins the podcast to discuss his experiences following the Whitbread Race, including his role in the Swedish TV show Över Atlanten, his approach to offshore racing, and his involvement in marina ownership.
- Lauren Topchik // Chasing Cruising Dreams
Lauren Topchik shares her upbringing on boats in Maine and her early introduction to cruising. She details purchasing her first sailboat, Cita, living aboard, exploring Maine, and her current role as Community Manager at Dockwa, with evolv…
- Morten Landmark // Owning and Racing a Volvo Ocean 60
Morten Landmark shares his experience skippering the Volvo Ocean 60, formerly "Toshiba," which competed in the 1997 Whitbread Round the World race. He now uses the yacht for family cruising and racing.
- Deb Fish // RORC's First Female Commodore
Dr. Deborah Fish made history in January 2024 as the first woman elected commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. Despite starting sailing in her 30s, she has an extensive sailing resume and aims to promote offshore sailing as a sport for…
- Kiera and Tripp // Apparent Winds
Kiera and Tripp, founders of the nonprofit Apparent Winds, share insights into their global journey aboard the research vessel Resilience. They focus on collecting stories about environmental and cultural preservation while conducting mari…
- Porter Fox // Climate Change & Sailing with John Kretschmer
Porter Fox, author of "Category Five: Superstorms & the Warming Oceans that Feed Them," discusses his book, sailing, weather, science, and family with On the Wind host. Fox, a writer and lifelong sailor, was referred by John Kretschmer, a…
- Jon Amtrup // Sailboat science in the High Arctic
Jon Amtrup, an environmentalist and high latitude skipper, was part of a Greenpeace arctic research expedition on the sailboat WITNESS. The vessel was designed by Skip Novak and is well-suited for the high Arctic.