SAILING HANNAH

Every now and then, something lands in your path that reminds you exactly why you keep fighting, even on the days when it feels like an uphill slog. For me, that something often comes in the form of mentorship. It’s the quiet, powerful reminder that what we do – the hours, the advocacy, the endless travel isn’t just about races or medals. It’s about people. It’s about legacy.

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring some truly remarkable women through The Magenta Project, an organisation that continues to push for greater diversity and representation in sailing. Each of my mentees has taught me something new, challenged me in different ways, and reminded me how vital it is to lift others as we climb.

Cole Brauer came to our sessions already fierce and determined and watching her go on to make history as the first American woman to race solo nonstop around the world still gives me goosebumps. She’s the definition of grit.

Kate Cope brought energy and purpose in spades. Balancing a thousand things at once, she’s carved out her space offshore, unapologetically and on her own terms. She’s the sort of woman who makes things happen and doesn’t wait for permission, whilst holding the door open for others. That is something truly admirable.

Camille Massonaud was quieter at first; thoughtful, analytical but with an undercurrent of steel. Balancing a busy degree, whilst building towards her own pathway in coaching, she had a lot to navigate. Now she’s charting her own course in the sport, using her voice to push for progress in ways that make me proud every single time I see her name.

And now, there’s Bex Foulsham.

We met officially for the first time the other night, and within five minutes I knew – this one’s going to change things. Bex has that rare mix of self-awareness and fire, with a mind that’s already thinking several steps ahead. She’s ambitious, yes, but also deeply reflective. She’s on a journey not just to find her place in the sport, but to challenge her own perceptions as a transgender woman in sailing and by doing so, she’s already challenging the sport’s perceptions too.

That takes courage. It takes honesty. And it takes a kind of vulnerability that many people don’t see; the quiet strength it takes to simply show up as yourself in spaces that haven’t always been built for you. Bex isn’t asking for space. She’s creating it. And I’m genuinely honoured to walk alongside her as she does.

Working with The Magenta Project has always been about more than coaching or career guidance. It’s about redefining what leadership looks like, questioning who gets seen, and building a future where inclusion isn’t an afterthought — it’s the standard.

Each of these women, in their own way, has helped me see that mentorship isn’t a one-way street. You give your time and experience, yes… but what you get back is perspective, hope, and that spark of inspiration that keeps the fire burning when the work feels heavy.

As for Bex and me – we’ve got big plans. Conversations about leadership, identity, storytelling, and yes, world domination (in the best possible sense). If the first meeting is anything to go by, this is going to be one hell of a ride.

Here’s to the next generation – bold, authentic, and unapologetically themselves. And here’s to The Magenta Project, for building the bridges that help us all cross into something better.