British Vendée Globe Skipper Sam Goodchild

Justin Chisholm’s guest on the Yacht Racing Life Podcast is the British solo around-the-world sailor Sam Goodchild.

British Vendée Globe Skipper Sam Goodchild
Image © Pierre Bouras

Goodchild recently fulfilled a 14 -year dream to compete in the Vendée Globe solo, nonstop, around-the-world race. Racing as part of Thomas Ruyant’s two boat TR Racing campaign and on a previous generation IMOCA he led the race several times in the early stages heading down the Atlantic and entered the final fortnight of the race in a battle for fourth place with Vendée veteran Jérémie Beyou on his new generation boat Charal.

Disappointingly catastrophic mainsail damage in a storm on the approach to Cape Finisterre at the entrance to the Bay of Biscay saw him split his mainsail in two. Ever resourceful Goodchild somehow managed to glue the sail back together on the rolling pitching wave-washed deck of his 60-foot yacht and get back in the race to finish a highly credible ninth overall.

Justin caught up with him recently at his home in Lorient where he lives with his wife and two children.

Powered by RedCircle

Listen to the full episode

🎙️
The Yacht Racing Life Podcast is for racing sailors everywhere. Exclusive interviews with the sport's top names. Presented by British sailing journalist Justin Chisholm. Available on Apple Podcasts Spotify and most major podcast hubs.

Read More

Podcast: Bermuda delivers for SailGP
Podcast

Podcast: Bermuda delivers for SailGP

Magnus Wheatley and I review SailGP's Bermuda event, widely considered a much-needed reset for the series. With flat water, consistent breeze, and a larger racecourse, Bermuda delivered exciting racing — and produced a dominant performance from the Australian team.

Podcast: Chris Draper at Emirates Team New Zealand

Podcast: Chris Draper at Emirates Team New Zealand

Podcast: Sébastien Sainson – Gitana Team design director

Podcast: Sébastien Sainson – Gitana Team design director

Podcast: James Pleasance - World Match Racing Tour

Podcast: James Pleasance - World Match Racing Tour

For racing sailors.

An independent subscriber-supported website, newsletter, and podcast. Featuring exclusive stories and interviews about Grand Prix sailboat racing. Subscribe to receive our free email newsletter. Get full access with a paid subscription.

Subscribe for free to receive our email newsletter.