Britain’s Women’s America’s Cup Team rolls out Cobham-Ultra GB2 identity

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.

Mills 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.

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.

Hannah Mills OBE, Team Principal of Athena Pathway and Cobham-Ultra GB2, said: “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.

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.

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.