I have long been an admirer of Paul’s achievements across the Olympics, America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race, but what has particularly impressed me is his longevity at the very top end of some of yacht racing’s most competitive classes. In 2025 he won his second Star World Championship victory – a remarkable 37 years after his first in 1988. Then, earlier this year, he won the Etchells world title, too.

In what turned out to be a more than 90 minute conversation, Paul talks us through his illustrious sailing career: from his introduction to the sport at age eight, to his early successes, and his inevitable transition to professional sailing.

As well as his AC and around-the-world exploits, he also reflects on his Olympic experiences, including being an alternate in 1984 and competing in the Star class in 2004.

We talk about the physical and mental demands of sailing, his current fitness regimen, the importance of teamwork and strategy in his career, and mull over the evolution and challenges of sailing, and find out why he laments the shift from traditional sailing to more spectacle-driven competitions like SailGP, which prioritize speed and spectacle over strategy and teamwork.

Paul also highlights the camaraderie he enjoys so much in the Star class and mourns the loss of keelboat sailing in the Olympics. We also discuss his role at America One Racing, an initiative focused on youth development and Olympic preparation, with a $5 million annual budget.

All this and much more…

Paul Cayard

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