Episode #86: Cooper Dressler on the SailGP Grand Final

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Cooper Dressler to chat gearing up for the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Cooper is in his 2nd season on the U.S. SailGP Team. He’s been sailing since he was a child and recently competed as a grinder with the 2021 America’s Cup challenger, American Magic.

Hear how to become a professional sailor, the aspects of sailing that got Cooper hooked from an early age, learning to sail on boats that go 50 knots, how much practice and preparation goes into training for SailGP, and how to succeed when you’re racing against the clock.

This episode covers everything from SailGP to Cooper’s favorite boats. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What was youth sailing like for Cooper?
• How do the SailGP boats work?
• What’s the difference between foiling monohulls vs. foiling catamarans?
• How do you learn to race on super fast boats?
• Is there much difference between tacking and jibing?
• How do you practice for SailGP?
• What’s key for sailing in the Bay?
• Short Tacks: How does Cooper enjoy seasonal sailing?

Learn more about the U.S. SailGP Team on social media @SailGPUSA and get tickets for the Season 3 Grand Final at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/.

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!

This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/

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

Show Notes

• Cooper Dressler on the SailGP Grand Final
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:26] John Arndt
  • [0:42] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [0:51] Learn more about the U.S. SailGP Team on social media @SailGPUSA and get tickets for the Season 3 Grand Final at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
  • [2:31] What’s a story that shaped Cooper as a sailor?
  • [3:38] What was youth sailing like for him?
  • [4:42] Episode #72: “Dr. Paul Heineken on Championing the Next Generation of Sailing”
  • [5:08] What captivated Cooper about sailing as a kid?
  • [6:09] What boats has he sailed on?
  • [7:22] Has he ever sailed a keelboat?
  • [8:09] What sailing lessons has he learned?
  • [9:32] How do the SailGP boats work? 
  • [11:32] “SailGP Sydney Day Two Canceled After Major Storm Damages Boats and Infrastructure”
  • [12:26] This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
  • SailGP Season 3 Grand Final
  • [13:23] What’s the difference between foiling monohulls vs. foiling catamarans?
  • [15:56] How do you learn to race on super fast boats?
  • [16:47] Is there much difference between tacking and jibing?
  • [18:18] How do you practice for SailGP?
  • [20:07] Is everyone clipped in?
  • [21:33] What is Cooper working on ahead of the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final?
  • [23:08] How do you approach passing in SailGP?
  • [24:32] Are people more comfortable with SailGP after each season?
  • [25:23] What’s key for sailing in the Bay?
  • [26:06] St. Francis Yacht Club
  • [26:38] What environment is Team USA best in?
  • [28:32] What’s Cooper’s favorite part about being a professional sailor?
  • [29:38] When did he realize he wanted to become a professional sailor?
  • [33:15] This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
  • Short Tacks
  • [34:07] What is Cooper’s dream boat?
  • [35:52] How does he sail outside of professional sailing?
  • [36:28] How does he enjoy seasonal sailing?
  • [37:48] What other professional races would he like to do?
  • [39:02] What’s his biggest fear while foiling?
  • [39:49] A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols, Close to the Wind by Pete Goss
  • [40:38] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [40:56] What final thoughts does Cooper have?
  • [42:27] Learn more about the U.S. SailGP Team on social media @SailGPUSA and get tickets for the Season 3 Grand Final at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/
  • [43:06] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [43:09] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [43:12] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [43:18] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [43:20] Check out the April 2023 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Cooper Dressler & John Arndt on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.

This episode is brought to you by SailGP. Don’t miss the SailGP Season 3 Grand Final in San Francisco on May 6-7, 2023. Get tickets at https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/united-states-sail-grand-prix-san-francisco/overview/