International Moth Female National Champion and World WASZP Female Champion joins Athena Pathway!
Hattie Rogers, International Moth Female National Champion and World WASZP Female Champion and Engineer is making significant strides in the world of competitive sailing as she joins the Athena Pathway UniCredit Youth and Puig Women’s British America’s Cup team.
Hattie proudly sits at the top of the global rankings among female foiling competitors. With an impressive seven National titles to her name, Hattie was honoured with the esteemed YJA Yachtsman of the Year trophy in recognition of her stellar 2022 season.
Beyond her achievements on the water, Hattie brings a robust engineering background to her sailing career. She graduated with first-class honours and a master’s degree in Ship Science Engineering from the University of Southampton. This academic foundation has been invaluable as she navigates the complexities of AC40 racing, where technical knowledge is as crucial as sailing skills.
Hattie’s journey began in traditional sailing, but she quickly embraced the challenges of foiling yachts. The high-speed, high-tech nature of these boats demands exceptional communication and teamwork. “Learning to sail with three others in the AC40 was a steep learning curve,” she shares, “but it’s incredibly satisfying when everything clicks into place in the team.”
Sailing Coach, Chris Draper commented, “Hattie has come from a less traditional Olympic background but works just as hard as those who have. Her foiling experience and achievements are a great addition to the team.”
Her technical expertise shines through in her contributions to the team, particularly in her work on the AC40. Hattie has played a key role in assisting with the development of the AC40 yacht’s systems, assisting the Systems Engineers with daily tasks. Additionally, she provides essential technical support for the team’s simulator, a critical tool in the team's training. “I support the engineering team with systems and communication setups in the sim,” she explains, highlighting the importance of constant preparation and technical precision in this competitive sailing environment.
Hattie’s passion for sailing extends beyond her career. She is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of sailors, particularly young women and girls. “I want to encourage girls to pursue STEM education and careers in engineering,” she says. “It’s essential to overcome any confidence issues and push through obstacles. The rewards are well worth it.”
As she prepares to compete in the Youth and Women's America's Cup, Hattie is eager to learn from her teammates and competitors. She views this as an opportunity not only to sail amongst her childhood idols but also to grow as a sailor and engineer in a high-performance team environment.
We’re excited to have Hattie Rogers join the Athena Pathway team!