Hannah Mills and her journey aboard SailGP

From winning at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to being triple champion of the world in 470 and being named Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2021, Hannah Mills has disembarked as part of the crew in SailGP. Discover her leadership role onboard and her drive. 

It was 1996 when Sir Ben Ainslie, who had just returned home from the Olympic Games with his silver medal, met young Hannah Mills. At the time, she was training at her local sailing club, and he gave a speech that encouraged her to reach the Olympic Games. Since that moment, it was about turning that dream into a reality and sailing in the Olympics. 

“What I love most about sailing is the performance element. For me it’s all about being driven to be the best you can be, but also for the team.”

New era in SailGP

Hannah Mills is on a new challenge aboard the flying F50 catamarans from SailGP, and she has debuted as the first female trialist of the SailGP Great Britain team in the Women’s Development Program for SailGP Season 2. 

This initiative set by SailGP for the new season starting soon in Bermuda aims at accelerating female inclusion in sailing events. SailGP has taken decisive measures to apply a female inclusion plan in the world championship and Hannah is the first athlete in the GB Team. Throughout the three first tests of the second season, six female athletes will test with the team to decide who will incorporate the team full-time. 

Interesting article: Learn the F50 crew roles in SailGP

Fulfilling the Olympic dream

In 2012, Hannah Mills was able to fulfill a long time dream of joining the Olympics in the female class 470 with Saskia Clark. They took home the silver medal, and they both wanted to keep going and competing in the elite level. 

In the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games they both competed as part of the same team again, taking the gold medal home. The partnership ended and most recently Eilidh McIntyre joined Hannah Mills for the 2021 Tokyo Games. With gold set in their eyes, they gave it all and achieved a well deserved victory. 

Future goals

“Since joining the Great Britain SailGP Team, I have loved racing within the circuit particularly because of what they stand for through the Impact League. I strongly believe that sport has a huge role to play in inspiring the next generation to be the best they can be, but also for the planet.”

Hannah’s function on board the F50 is focussed on giving input to the helm on strategy, tactics and communication. This is a key role on board, and as we move on to  SailGP Season 3, Mills will also be responsible for helping manage the Women’s Pathway Program. 

Hannah Mills also wants to encourage all young girls to stand up for what they believe in and to not fall into the false belief that they are not enough. If you grab the opportunity and learn as much as possible from those around you, there is no reason why you cannot do anything as well as anyone else. 

You can watch Hannah Mills talking on Pathways’ video on SailGP:

Images from SailGP and Olympics