Lymington sailor Hattie Rogers wins women’s title at WASZP European Games in Quiberon, France

Lymington sailor Hattie Rogers has returned from racing in France as a European champion after a dominant performance on the water.

The 23-year-old was among a 150-strong mixed fleet of sailors from 17 countries battling in 17 races over five days at the WASZP European Games in Quiberon.

Rogers finished the championships in 32nd overall, romping home 85.5 points ahead of her nearest female rival in 44th, Norway’s Hedvig Doksrod, landing her the 2023 WASZP European Ladies Championship title. She was one of only five female sailors to make the Gold Fleet.

It has been an impressive year for the Royal Lymington Yacht Club sailor, beginning with be YJA Yachtsman of the Year trophy for her 2022 season.

She spent four months of winter training in Palma focusing primarily on fitness and the transition to her new foiling Moth. In early June she competed at the Moth World Championship in Weymouth – her first major Moth event – and finished second female.

In late June she swapped back into the WASZP to compete at the UK National Championships in Rutland and took home her third consecutive female national championship title.

Rogers is currently a trialist for the British Women’s and Youth America’s Cup teams, with a programme of training and racing focused on British team selection in the coming months.

She said: “Right now, the only thing that matters to me is helming the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup Team AC40. I’m going to do everything in my power to make this a reality. There is a brand new pathway being created for youth and women sailors, which will give a pathway to professional sailing in the future.

“I’m really proud of my season so far and how I have approached this summer. There is a big support team which I have created around me, and I really could not have done it without them. Sailing’s an expensive sport and it just would not be possible otherwise.

“A big thank you to La Bougie Candles, Sir Keith Mills who sponsored my new Moth and a few anonymous sponsors, who have quite simply been nothing short of remarkable, as well as industry support from Zhik, Harken, Marlow, Cannondale, Noble Marine and SailingFast.

“I would also like to thank the Royal Lymington Yacht Club who have remained as supportive as ever. I want to continue to inspire the younger generation, particularly female sailors who need to know that they can have the same aspirations as the boys, in the marine industry.”

To follow Hattie’s journey head to @hats.sailing on Instagram