Grassroots to the grand stage
From first foundations to podium performances, RYA support has helped shape Britain's America's Cup trailblazers
INEOS Britannia celebrate winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, © Ian Roman/America’s Cup
As INEOS Britannia and Athena Pathway prepare for their history-making America’s Cup challenges, at the heart of their teams are some exceptional talents borne out of the RYA’s world-leading racing programmes.
We’ve long been the driving force behind world class British sailing talent, playing a crucial role developing sailors to rise to the pinnacle of the sport, including competing in the most prestigious sailing events such as the Olympic Games, SailGP and the America’s Cup.
This weekend, Sir Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Britannia crew and Hannah Mills’s Athena Pathway women’s team will race for the nation in their respective America’s Cup events and we'll be backing them all the way.
For Ainslie’s team it will be the first time in 60 years that a British Challenger has had the chance to compete for the oldest trophy in sport, which has eluded British hands for its 173-year history. They’ll line up against Defenders Emirates Team New Zealand in a first-to-seven wins contest starting on Saturday 12 October.
Mills and her Athena crew will be looking to claim the first ever edition of the event for women, having topped their qualifying group and the semi-finals standings to remain in the hunt for the trophy in the final on Saturday 12 October.
Hannah Mills and Athena Pathway in action at the Puig Women's America's Cup, © Ian Roman/America’s Cup
The RYA’s pathways, from first foundations to elite competition, have helped steer champions like Ainslie, Dylan Fletcher, Giles Scott, Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark to gold medal success, providing all the tools to succeed at the Olympics and beyond in the high-tech, high-stakes world of America’s Cup and professional racing – breaking barriers and making history in the process.
Leigh McMillan, Freddie Carr, Hannah Diamond, Ben Cornish, Bleddyn Mon are also alumni of the RYA’s youth and Olympic programmes, as are squad members Matt Gotrel and Neil Hunter along with countless more coaches and support team members behind the scenes.
Through its vibrant clubs, youth and British Sailing Team programmes, elite coaching and training environments, the RYA helps ensure Britain continues to produce top-tier sailing talent and performances that inspire a nation.
History-makers begin with us. Where will your journey take you?