The British Women's America's Cup Team has unveiled its new Cobham-Ultra GB2 identity, working alongside Britain's principal America's Cup team, GB1. The women's team previously competed as Athena Pathway, the women's and youth development programme founded by Sir Ben Ainslie and Hannah Mills OBE in 2022. Athena Pathway remains the main talent identification and development programme for the British America’s Cup and SailGP Teams.
Building on the success of Athena Pathway, GB2, supported for the second time by Title Parter Cobham-Ultra, will become the home of Britain's elite Women's America's Cup athletes. The move creates a clearer, more recognisable British identity as preparations continue for the Women’s and Youth America's Cup in Naples.
Next year will see the second edition of the Women’s America’s Cup, following the inaugural event in Barcelona back in 2024. The landmark competition was noted for its intensity with the women’s final between Luna Rossa (ITA) and Hannah Mills’ Athena Pathway (GBR) being one of the stand-out races of the entire regatta.
While making the final of the first ever Women’s America’s Cup was an incredible achievement, Mills has made it clear her desire is to win, as she returns as Team Principal and Helm of Cobham-Ultra GB2. Joining Mills in the GB2 AC40 race boat is Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist Ellie Aldridge OBE, who was victorious in the first ever Formula Kite Olympic competition.
Hannah Mills OBE, Team Principal of the Athena Pathway and Cobham-Ultra GB2, added:
"The Cobham-Ultra GB2 identity creates a stronger platform for British sailing and will inspire young female sailors to believe they can be part of the future of the America's Cup. "Our ambition is to create opportunities for the country's best young sailors to progress all the way from the Athena Pathway into GB2, GB1 and Emirates GBR in SailGP. Having one integrated programme gives those athletes a clear route to the very top of our sport. "Athena Pathway will remain the engine room of everything we do. It will continue to identify and develop the next generation of talent before preparing them to compete at the highest level.”
Shonnel Malani, Chairman of Cobham-Ultra, added:
“We are proud to continue supporting both GB2 and Athena Pathway as they embark on this exciting new chapter. Cobham-Ultra GB2 will inspire a new generation by showcasing the very best of British female and youth sailing talent on the world stage, while Athena Pathway is creating opportunities for young people to discover where ambition, teamwork and STEM can take them. Sailing is one of the few sports where cutting-edge engineering, technology and human performance come together, making it a powerful platform to inspire future scientists, engineers and innovators. Together, these programmes are building a lasting legacy for Britain— broadening access to the sport, developing exceptional talent both on and off the water, and helping equip the next generation with the skills our country needs.”
© Cameron Gregory
Since its launch, the Athena Pathway has established itself as Britain's leading development programme for high-performance foiling sailors, creating opportunities for female and youth athletes to train and race alongside some of the sport's biggest names. As well as a programme for foiling athletes, Athena Pathway also offers development opportunities for onshore roles, including electronics, engineering, data analysis and boat building.
Thanks to the support of Cobham-Ultra this summer, Athena Pathway has been able to give three exceptionally talented young individuals the opportunity to be embedded within the elite shore crew of the British America's Cup teams. The placement gave them hands-on experience with the AC40 raceboats, including the hydraulics, electronics and technology that underpin America's Cup racing — a unique opportunity to learn from the best and experience what it takes to be part of an elite sporting team.
Athena Pathway will continue to operate as the programme's talent development system, identifying and developing the next generation of British sailors and shore crew. Before progressing them into Cobham-Ultra GB2, GB1 and the Emirates GBR SailGP Team.
As part of the new structure, the British Youth America’s Cup crew will compete under the Cobham-Ultra GB2 AC40, with sailors selected through the Athena Pathway representing Great Britain in the Youth America’s Cup.
Both the women’s and youth teams have been training in the AC40 race boat in Italy. The two teams will combine to compete at the second Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples from 24 to 27 September. Dates are yet to be announced for the Women’s and Youth America’s Cup events next year.