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WOMEN & YOUTHAthena Pathway
Women & Youth Team
Athena Pathway is a programme for British female and youth athletes, led by double Olympic Gold Medallist Hannah Mills OBE. Its mission is to fast-track the development of professional sailors, level the playing field in high-performance foiling, and increase diversity within the sport, both on and off the water.
Founded in August 2022 by Hannah Mills and Sir Ben Ainslie, Athena Pathway also places sustainability at its core. Guided by the ethos of “People, Planet and Purpose,” the initiative empowers athletes to use their platforms to drive meaningful action in the fight against climate change.
The Programme's first major milestone was entering teams in the Youth America’s Cup and the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona 2024, both reaching the podium, with Youth placing third and Women finishing as runners-up.
Alongside the America’s Cup, Athena Pathway also have a partnership in Weymouth in a collaboration with the Andrew Simpson Foundation’s Performance Academy, which delivers world-class coaching in the one-design foiling WASZP dinghy to a squad of British Youth sailors.
WOMEN & YOUTHAthena Pathway
Women & Youth TeamAthena Pathway is a programme for British female and youth athletes, led by double Olympic Gold Medallist Hannah Mills OBE. Its mission is to fast-track the development of professional sailors, level the playing field in high-performance foiling, and increase diversity within the sport, both on and off the water.
Founded in August 2022 by Hannah Mills and Sir Ben Ainslie, Athena Pathway also places sustainability at its core. Guided by the ethos of “People, Planet and Purpose,” the initiative empowers athletes to use their platforms to drive meaningful action in the fight against climate change.
The Programme's first major milestone was entering teams in the Youth America’s Cup and the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona 2024, both reaching the podium, with Youth placing third and Women finishing as runners-up.
Alongside the America’s Cup, Athena Pathway also have a partnership in Weymouth in a collaboration with the Andrew Simpson Foundation’s Performance Academy, which delivers world-class coaching in the one-design foiling WASZP dinghy to a squad of British Youth sailors.
CHALLENGER OF RECORD
GREAT BRITAIN
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON LTD.Athena Pathway is a programme for British female and youth athletes, led by double Olympic Gold Medallist Hannah Mills OBE. Its mission is to fast-track the development of professional sailors, level the playing field in high-performance foiling, and increase diversity within the sport, both on and off the water.
Founded in August 2022 by Hannah Mills and Sir Ben Ainslie, Athena Pathway also places sustainability at its core. Guided by the ethos of “People, Planet and Purpose,” the initiative empowers athletes to use their platforms to drive meaningful action in the fight against climate change.
The Programme's first major milestone was entering teams in the Youth America’s Cup and the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona 2024, both reaching the podium, with Youth placing third and Women finishing as runners-up.
Alongside the America’s Cup, Athena Pathway also have a partnership in Weymouth in a collaboration with the Andrew Simpson Foundation’s Performance Academy, which delivers world-class coaching in the one-design foiling WASZP dinghy to a squad of British Youth sailors.
CREW
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Hannah Mills OBESkipper / HelmHannah Mills OBE is co-founder and Team Principal of Athena Pathway. She stands as the most successful female Olympic Sailor in history. Mills is a two-time Olympic Champion and a three-time World Champion in the Women’s 470 class. Her journey to Olympic glory began with a silver medal in London 2012 alongside teammate Saskia Clark, the impressive pair went on to win gold in Rio 2016. Continuing her dominance, Mills went on to win another gold medal in Tokyo 2020, this time partnering with Eilidh McIntyre. Hannah launched the Athena Pathway Program alongside Sir Ben Ainslie in August 2022, with the aim of fast-tracking development in high-performance sailing and bringing diversity into the sport. With the first-time inclusion of a women’s event in the America’s Cup, there is a renewed emphasis on achieving gender equity and raising the sport’s profile for the younger generations.
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Ellie AldridgeHelmEllie Aldridge embarked on her sailing journey straight out of school in 2016, immersing herself in the competitive world of 49erFX racing. Two years on the global circuit laid the foundation for her next challenge – the exhilarating realm of Kite Foiling, the fastest sport in the Olympics. In 2018, Aldridge decided to join a new talent ID programme, Kite4Gold, which was created to identify and develop potential medallists in the new Formula Kite class. Starting from scratch, Aldridge ascended the ranks, capitalizing on her sailing knowledge and a relentless thirst for speed. She consistently graced the podium at World Championships before becoming European Champion in 2023 – securing her spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Paris 2024 was the first time the sport had been included in the Olympics, and Aldridge made history by becoming the inaugural gold medallist. Fresh from her Olympic victory, Aldridge joined the Athena Pathway Women’s America’s Cup team in Barcelona, supporting the sailing team and gaining knowledge of the AC40 race boats.
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Sam WebbStarboard TrimmerSam Webb began sailing at a young age, first getting on the water at just 5 years old in Lymington. He quickly progressed through he British youth pathway from the Optimist development squad to success in the RS Feva class. He established himself as a leading talent with national and international titles to his name in the 29er.
In 2026, Sam came through the Athena Pathway open application process, standing out during the Simulator trials. He subsequently joined the team in Cagliari and will now be onboard the AC40 for the Preliminary Regatta, marking the next step in his transition into elite-level foiling competition.
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Matt BeckPort TrimmerMatt started sailing at the age of 12 on a small lake in the Cotswolds. He quickly caught the sailing bug and went on to compete at the Optimist Worlds in 2015. From there, he progressed through different Laser classes and eventually discovered foiling, which made him fall in love with sailing all over again. Beck was on top of the world in the Waszp class in 2021 and began transitioning into kite foiling through the RYA’s “Kite For Gold” programme. He then took on the challenge of a lifetime with Athena Pathway as part of the British squad for the 2024 Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona, where the team finished on the podium in third place. As a senior youth sailor, he combines his on-water role with coaching and management of the team simulator, using his experience to help guide the next generation of youth sailors.