Hattie Rogers selected for WASZP Grand Final - Champion of Champions!
Congratulations to Hattie Rogers (21), who, along with Zac Blomeley (20), has been selected to represent Great Britain at the first SailGP Inspire WASZP Grand Final - Championship of Champions - in San Fransisco.
The young athletes will race during the SailGP event weekend, on the same waters as the F50s over the Grand Final weekend. This exciting event will see the top young athletes from around the world (male and female) compete for the overall season podium at the Mubadala United States Sail Grand Prix from 26th-27th March. This is the culmination of Season 2’s Inspire Racing x WASZP series and offers young sailors an unparalleled opportunity to race at the highest level.
Throughout the season, promising young sailors were selected through their governing bodies, WASZP Class association and SailGP Inspire racing events to ensure the highest level of diverse talent and a 50:50 gender balance. Hattie and Zac were selected to represent GBR after finishing as top female and top male/overall sailors at the Sail GP Inspire event in Plymouth.
Hattie said: “The SailGP Inspire in Plymouth was honestly one of the coolest weeks that I can remember. I absolutely loved it! Our racing was only part of it. Experiencing the whole environment was more like the F1 events you see on TV. It was inspiring to have the opportunity to gain advice on the pathways that could lead to professional sailing at SailGP level. The quality of the sailors present, the spectators, the buzz, the whole package was just awesome.”
“I feel very privileged to represent GBR along with Zac Blomeley at the Grand Final. Especially since the Grand Final is being held on such iconic waters where many great events have taken place, such as the America’s Cup.”
“I am looking forward to being back in a top-level professional racing environment and having the opportunity to compete against some of the best Youth WASZP sailors in the world in the SailGP Inspire Grand Final. I am really hoping that the SailGP Inspire programme will offer a clear pathway with opportunities for me to get involved with a SailGP team and ultimately the Women’s America’s Cup programme.”
Inspire Racing x WASZP is a world-class program that provides a stepping stone for under 21s to develop foiling skills and create a pathway to F50 catamarans. It has a strong focus on inclusivity – aiming to diversify sailing through its programs to foster talent and eliminate gender, racial and socioeconomic barriers.
The winners will be awarded on Sunday 27th March and receive a cash prize to support their professional sailing development. The top male and female winners will also get further training by joining a SailGP team’s training and tech sessions at a Season 3 event, including a chance to sail onboard the F50.
Good luck Hattie, from all of us at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club!