Episode #80: Nicole Breault on Match Racing

This week’s host, Moe Roddy, is joined by 4-time U.S. Women’s Match Racing Champion Nicole Breault. Nicole started sailing with her family at age 2, won All-American honors sailing for Yale, and is the first woman to be named St. Francis Yacht Club’s Jerome B. White Yachtsman of the Year.

Hear the keys to match racing, how it works, Nicole’s passion for the J/105, the work she’s doing to empower more women to compete in racing, and the famous sandwiches she makes for her crew.

This episode covers everything from match racing to crew morale. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• Did Nicole’s family cruise as a family before they got into racing?
• What boat did Nicole start racing on?
• How was her experience sailing for Yale?
• What is match racing?
• How did Nicole meet her husband, Bruce Stone?
• What is she up to now?
• Is her family full of sailors?
• Short Tacks: What does she put on her famous sandwiches?

Learn more at https://www.stfyc.com/default.aspx?p=ViewArticleFlyer&ssid=&itemID=314773.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

This episode is brought to you by AkzoNobel. Explore the world of AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings, with the industry-leading brands of Awlgrip, Interlux, and Sea Hawk.

Show Notes

• Nicole Breault on Match Racing
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:27] Moe Roddy
  • [0:47] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:01] Learn more at https://www.stfyc.com/default.aspx?p=ViewArticleFlyer&ssid=&itemID=314773
  • [2:50] Where is Nicole from?
  • [3:20] Is her family full of sailors?
  • [4:25] Did they cruise as a family before they got into racing?
  • [5:44] What’s a story that shaped Nicole as a sailor?
  • [8:19] Did she participate in a junior sailing program?
  • [11:54] What boat did she start racing on?
  • [16:08] Imagine: the breeze is perfect, the water magnificent, you glide over the waves and everything is just right. This feeling of perfection is why people fall in love with boating. At AkzoNobel, we share that love for boating. It’s the foundation of our research, technologies and innovations. Explore the world of AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings, with the industry-leading brands of Awlgrip, Interlux, and Sea Hawk, with a full range of products that provide boaters with premium topside finishes and bottom coatings that protect and enhance your boat’s performance in tough marine conditions. 
  • [16:55] What is match racing?
  • [18:54] NCAA Tournament
  • [24:35] What makes a great match racing team?
  • [26:52] How was Nicole’s experience sailing for Yale?
  • [28:51] Boaters around the world appreciate a beautiful boat, and one way to make a boat catch the eye is to use Awlgrip. In fact, boaters use it as a bragging point that they had their boat “Awlgripped.” Awlgrip has kept boats looking amazing for almost 50 years and at AkzoNobel, we never stop innovating the brand and its products. Our latest offering, Awlgrip HDT (High Definition Technology), delivers stunning, head-turning finishes, with exceptional high gloss and deeper colors, which also provide long-lasting durability and repairability. To create the perfect finish for your boat, ask your local boatyard about Awlgrip HDT.
  • Empowering Women Racers
  • [29:50] How did Nicole meet her husband, Bruce Stone?
  • [32:44] Staten Island Ferry
  • [34:05] What is Nicole up to now?
  • [34:30] J/105 Class
  • [38:03] St. Francis Yacht Club (StFYC)
  • [39:15] COVID-19
  • [42:01] What’s coming up for Nicole?
  • [42:29] Long Beach Yacht Club (LBYC)
  • [43:24] Women’s Match Racing World Championship
  • [46:38] Women’s World Match Racing Tour 
  • [46:49] As sailors, we all know the importance of keeping your boat’s bottom protected and clean, so it stays looking and performing its best. Interlux’s Ultra-Kote is an excellent, long-lasting antifouling for boats in all waters. Ultra-Kote’s innovative technology protects the bottom from barnacles and other fouling that can create drag and slow you down – even in the most challenging fouling areas. Ultra-Kote delivers a durable finish that prevents wear through, with excellent color stability so it looks good for longer! Ultra-Kote is available at your local Interlux retailer or boatyard center.
  • Short Tacks
  • [47:36] What is Nicole’s nickname?
  • [47:54] What does she put on her famous sandwiches?
  • [49:07] A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, Winning in One-Designs by Dave Perry
  • [50:21] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [50:28] Yellowstone
  • [50:43] Who is Nicole’s favorite historical figure?
  • [51:12] Short Beach Cove
  • [51:32] Kathy Sullivan
  • [53:54] Amelia Earhart
  • [55:23] What is one question Nicole wishes Moe asked?
  • [56:17] What final thoughts does she have?
  • [58:12] Learn more at https://www.stfyc.com/default.aspx?p=ViewArticleFlyer&ssid=&itemID=314773
  • [58:21] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [58:28] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [58:33] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [58:35] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [58:42] Check out the February 2023 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Nicole Breault & Moe Roddy on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.

This episode is brought to you by AkzoNobel. Explore the world of AkzoNobel’s yacht coatings, with the industry-leading brands of Awlgrip, Interlux, and Sea Hawk.