Britain's Women's America's Cup Team has unveiled a new identity as Cobham-Ultra GB2, aligning more closely with Britain's principal America's Cup team, GB1. The rebrand marks the next phase of the British campaign ahead of the Women's and Youth America's Cup events and the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup programme.
Athena Pathway, founded in 2022 by Sir Ben Ainslie and Hannah Mills OBE, will continue as Britain's talent identification and development programme for the America's Cup and Emirates GBR SailGP teams.
Cobham-Ultra GB2 will become the home of Britain's elite Women's America's Cup sailors, while Athena Pathway continues to develop athletes and shore crew for progression into GB2, GB1 and SailGP.
The inaugural Women's America's Cup in Barcelona in 2024 saw Britain reach the final, where Hannah Mills' Athena Pathway team finished runners-up to Italy's Luna Rossa.
New Era — Hannah Mills OBE, Team Principal and helm of Cobham-Ultra GB2, following the launch of the British Women's America's Cup team's new identity ahead of its next international campaign
Mills returns as Team Principal and helm of Cobham-Ultra GB2 alongside Paris 2024 Formula Kite Olympic champion Ellie Aldridge OBE.
"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," Mills said.
"Our ambition is to create opportunities for the country's best young sailors to progress all the way from the Athena Pathway into GB2, GB1 and Emirates GBR in SailGP. "Having one integrated programme gives those athletes a clear route to the very top of our sport."
Mills said Athena Pathway would remain "the engine room of everything we do", continuing to identify and prepare the next generation of sailing talent.
Cobham-Ultra Chairman Shonnel Malani said the partnership would continue supporting both the elite racing programme and wider development initiatives.
"We are proud to continue supporting both GB2 and Athena Pathway as they embark on this exciting new chapter," he said. "Together, these programmes are building a lasting legacy for Britain, broadening access to the sport, developing exceptional talent both on and off the water, and helping equip the next generation with the skills our country needs."
Athena Pathway also provides opportunities ashore, with training in engineering, electronics, data analysis, and boatbuilding.
This summer, three young recruits joined the British America's Cup shore crew, gaining experience with AC40 raceboats and their advanced hydraulic and electronic systems.
The British Youth America's Cup team will also race under the Cobham-Ultra GB2 banner, with sailors selected through Athena Pathway. Both the women's and youth squads are training in Italy ahead of the second Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in Naples from 24-27 September.
