In this episode, Olympic hopefuls Mika Sternberg and Josh Goldberg discuss their campaign in the Nacra 17, the mixed foiling multihull that has transformed high-performance Olympic sailing.

Their pathway into the class was not the one they originally expected. Like many sailors progressing through the Olympic system, they initially imagined a campaign in the 470, the traditional doublehanded dinghy that has long served as a cornerstone of Olympic development. Along the way, however, they made the decision to pivot toward the speed, coordination, and technical complexity of the foiling Nacra 17. That transition meant more than simply switching boats. It required adapting to an entirely different style of racing, one defined by sustained flight, rapid decision-making, and constant communication between helm and crew while racing at speeds that can exceed twenty knots.

In this conversation, they reflect on how that shift reshaped their partnership and their approach to training. They discuss what it takes to learn one of the most technically demanding boats in the Olympic fleet, from mastering the mechanics of foiling to refining the subtle coordination that allows a Nacra team to keep the platform stable and fast through maneuvers and changing conditions. They also speak candidly about the realities of sustaining a multi-year Olympic campaign, including the international travel, logistical complexity, financial planning, and relentless performance development required to compete with the top teams in the world.

The discussion also broadens to the changing landscape of the sport itself. From the rise of foiling platforms and global leagues like SailGP to the growing role of performance data, advanced analytics, and even artificial intelligence in training and race preparation, Sternberg and Goldberg consider how technology is reshaping the competitive edge in sailing. At the same time, they reflect on larger structural questions facing the sport. As boats become faster, more specialized, and more expensive, questions of accessibility inevitably arise. How can sailing remain open to talented athletes who may not grow up within traditional yacht club systems? What role can community sailing programs, national federations, and new forms of coaching play in widening the pathway into high-performance competition?

Environmental change is also part of that conversation. As sailors who spend much of their lives on the water and travel to venues around the world, they discuss how climate change influences the conditions in which sailors train and compete. Shifting wind patterns, changing water temperatures, pollution, and increasing variability in weather all introduce new challenges for athletes who depend on consistency and predictability in their preparation. At the same time, the conversation turns toward sustainability within the sport itself. From the environmental footprint of international travel to the constant demand for new equipment, the future of competitive sailing increasingly raises questions about how performance and environmental responsibility can coexist.

All together, this episode offers a window into the demands of an Olympic campaign while exploring how sailing itself is evolving. It is a conversation about partnership, speed, and the pursuit of performance, set within a sport that is navigating technological innovation, environmental change, questions of access, and the expectations of a new generation of sailors.