From 29er British National Champion Sailor to Athena Pathway Youth Team Helm and Data Analyst
Nick brings a unique blend of sailing prowess and analytical expertise to Athena Pathway. A national champion 29er sailor with a passion for learning, Nick's journey from dinghies to the America's Cup is one of embracing new challenges.
Nick's love for sailing began at a young age, growing up in Hampshire surrounded by boats. He honed his skills at Hayling Island Sailing Club before diving into competitive sailing in the Optimist class. Nick transitioned to two-handed boats, progressing through the RYA pathway in the RS Feva and ultimately conquering the 29er class. His success culminated in a National Championship win in 2017 and representing Great Britain at the Youth Sailing World Championships.
While pursuing a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nick didn't abandon his sailing dreams. He transitioned to the demanding 49er class, balancing academics with competing at the Junior European Championships, where he secured a podium finish in his first year.
The America's Cup has always been a dream of Nick’s. So, the opportunity to compete in the Youth America's Cup and join Athena Pathway as a Youth Helm and Data Analyst was an exciting new chapter. Here, Nick has leveraged his analytical skills to optimise boat performance while gaining valuable insights into the world of AC40s.
Nick's favourite aspect of the job is "learning every day, and being around cool people."
Athena Pathway Coach, Chris Draper commented, “Nick’s a lovely guy and a great sailor, he brings an analytical dynamic to the team that can’t be beaten. We’re lucky to have him.”
Nick thrives in a dynamic environment and spent six months with INEOS Britannia upskilling alongside their team. He describes his time there as “a steep learning curve, but an incredibly rewarding one. It was exciting to step into a world that’s normally so secret and get to work with such a knowledgeable team.”
We at Athena Pathway are thrilled to have Nick on board and look forward to seeing him contribute his talents in the upcoming UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.