Get to know Athena Pathway Trimmer, Anna Burnet, as she prepares for the 38th Women’s America’s Cup.
“It’s really amazing to be part of the team. I’m just super excited,” she says. “The boat is awesome, so just to get more time sailing the AC40 is really exciting.”
Burnet first got a taste of the AC40 towards the end of the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle, but is now able to dedicate much more time to the boat as part of the Women’s America’s Cup campaign.
Alongside her work with Athena Pathway, Burnet is also campaigning a Nacra 17 as she works towards the LA 2028 Olympics. While the two boats are very different, she sees plenty of similarities between them.
“Luckily, they complement each other really well, both being foiling boats,” she explains. “I’m just hoping that what I learn with Athena Pathway, sailing these boats, is something that I can also use with the Nacra.”
The transition to the AC40 has not been without its challenges.
Burnet’s first day on the boat was in fairly rough conditions, giving her an immediate introduction to the unique experience of sailing an AC40 from inside the cockpit.
“It was pretty wavy, so I think it was a bit of a shock,” she says. “Just the perspective, being down in the cockpit and I couldn’t see that much.”
Since then, more time on the water – including sessions in flatter conditions – has helped Burnet become increasingly comfortable with the boat.
She sees clear similarities between the AC40 and Nacra 17, particularly in the feeling of foiling and the way sailors have to work with the boat at speed.
“There are foiling sensations and what you’re essentially trying to aim to do with both boats is not too far off,” she says.
There are, however, some obvious differences.
“Sitting down in a cockpit and pressing buttons is a bit different to running around and pulling ropes,” Burnet adds.
For Burnet, being part of Athena Pathway represents more than just an opportunity to learn a new boat. It is also a chance to be part of the next generation of female sailors competing at the highest level.
She believes the opportunities being created for younger women in high-performance sailing are hugely important.
“What Athena Pathway is doing and bringing in the younger sailors is amazing,” she says. “For women, for myself, to have the opportunity to sail these boats and to race these boats is something that we never used to have.”
Now, Burnet is focused on making the most of that opportunity, building her experience in the AC40 and continuing to develop as a foiling sailor.
“Just to sail an AC40 is awesome,” she says. “I’m loving it.”