Hannah Mills opens selection process for Britain's Youth America's Cup Team
by Athena Pathway 21 Jan 17:04 GMT
21 January 2026
Hannah Mills OBE announced applications were open at the America's Cup Partnership event in Naples on Wednesday © Athena Sports Group
Athena Pathway Programme (APP) has opened applications for their Youth Squad set to compete in the Youth America's Cup in Naples in 2027. The selection process was officially announced by APP Team Principal Hannah Mills OBE at the America's Cup Partnership event in Naples, the host venue for the Women's and Youth America's Cup in 2027.
Athena Pathway's Youth America's Cup Programme, supported by Cobham Ultra, sits at the heart of the team's high-performance development framework and is designed to identify, assess, and develop British talent with the potential to compete in the Youth America's Cup, while also supporting progression into professional maritime careers.
The programme focuses on developing the sailing, technical, and teamwork skills required for AC40 race boat performance, while also acting as a genuine feeder into senior high-performance opportunities, including British Women's and Senior America's Cup teams and Emirates GBR SailGP Team.
Hannah Mills, Team Principal of Athena Pathway, said: "We are very excited to open the selection process for Athena Pathway Youth America's Cup Programme, supported by Cobham Ultra. We came so close to the top of the podium for both the women's and youth teams last time, and it definitely feels like unfinished business. We are looking forward to nurturing the next generation of British sailing talent and creating clear pathways into high-performance sailing both on and off the water."
Eligibility
Athena Pathway has published a selection policy that sets out a clear and transparent framework covering eligibility, selection criteria, assessment processes, and athlete expectations.
Applications are open to male and female youth sailors who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Selection Policy. Applicants also must be eligible to represent Great Britain under World Sailing Regulation 19 and be born between 1 July 2001 and 1 July 2008.
The Youth AC40 Programme operates at a high-performance level. Many sailors selected through this process will already have experience racing at national or international championship level and/or have developed significant foiling experience.
Athena Pathway also recognises that talented sailors do not always follow the same pathway. Sailors who have taken a non-linear or unconventional route, and who believe they possess the commitment, learning capacity, and potential to contribute to a high-performance team environment, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Success stores from the last campaign include Youth Trimmer Matt Beck who is now part of the APP sailing operations, Youth Team Helm Nick Robins who is working as data analyst for America's Cup & SailGP Teams and Ellie Aldridge who has been promoted to full-time member of the APP Women's Team and development sailor for Emirates GBR SailGP Team.
Mills concluded: "The America's Cup's renewed commitment to the Women's and Youth events is hugely important for our sport. It helps create pathways for future generations of sailors, something we have championed through Athena Pathway over the last five years and it showcases that the top end of our sport is inclusive and forward-focused."