Embley Alumni, Hattie, continues to make tremendous strides in the world of competitive sailing. She is currently a key member of the British squad, competing in both the UniCredit Youth and Puig Women’s America’s Cup through the Athena Pathway programme. Among her impressive achievements, Hattie was crowned the WASZP Female World, European and National Champion in 2023.
As the International Moth Female National Champion and World WASZP Female Champion, Hattie has broken new ground in competitive sailing. Her involvement with the Athena Pathway UniCredit Youth and Puig Women’s British America’s Cup teams has further solidified her presence on the world stage.
Recently, Hattie and her team, supported by Cobham Ultra and racing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, made history by securing a spot in the first-ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup Final. In an intense one-race final, the British team faced off against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli of Italy, pushing their rivals in a thrilling battle around the course. Despite a valiant effort, the British team narrowly missed out on victory, finishing just 8 seconds behind the Italians.
Hattie is at the pinnacle of global rankings in female foiling competitions, and her list of accolades is remarkable. With seven national titles under her belt, she was honoured with the prestigious YJA Yachtsman of the Year award, recognising her exceptional performance during the 2022 season.
Beyond her success on the water, Hattie brings an engineering background that has proved invaluable to her sailing career. Graduating with first-class honours and a master’s degree in Ship Science Engineering from the University of Southampton, she has been able to merge her academic expertise with the technical demands of AC40 yacht racing, where both engineering knowledge and sailing skills are critical.
Hattie has also played a significant role in the development of the AC40 yacht’s systems, assisting systems engineers with day-to-day tasks. Additionally, she provided essential technical support for the team’s simulator, a crucial training tool. “I supported the engineering team with systems and communication setups in the simulator,” she explains, underlining the importance of meticulous preparation and technical precision in this highly competitive environment.
These accomplishments are a testament to her dedication, skill, and commitment, which have propelled her to represent Britain on the global stage. Her journey from Embley to competing in one of the world’s most elite sailing events speaks volumes about her leadership, resilience and dedication. Hattie's remarkable success serves as an inspiration to current students, demonstrating how the skills and values learned at school can lead to extraordinary achievements in any field.
See Hattie at work on the AC40 in this short video, ‘Can an Amateur Fly a Foiling America’s Cup yacht’ which shows Hattie trimming behind Mozzy and the type of comms that are involved with sailing these boats.
