Saskia Clark: First Women's America's Cup is 'really exciting'

Taking part in the first Women's America's Cup is "really exciting as a female athlete", according to an Olympic gold-winning sailor who has come out of retirement to compete.

Saskia Clark, 34, from West Mersea, Essex, is a three-time Team GB Olympian.

The professional sailor hopes the women's cup will "bring a new pool of athletes up to speed".

The events will take place alongside the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona.

The America's Cup is the world's oldest international sporting trophy, with a 174-year history.

Clark, who learnt to sail on the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, said she was "really excited to represent" Mersea in the America's Cup.

She has been working as a sailor for private yacht owners in the UK "and in some nice sunny places around the world" since she last competed.

"I love Mersea and I love going back there for summer for Mersea Week," she said.

"I love going back on Wednesday nights, where all the kids are learning to sail - where I learned to sail - we've got a great community there, passionate about sailing."

The Athena Pathway team was co-founded by fellow Olympic champions Hannah Mills and Ben Ainslie in 2022 to fast-track promising sailors and increase diversity in the sport.

Clark will be reunited with Mills for the first time since their Rio 2016 gold in the 470 class.

She took part in the London and Beijing Olympics, winning silver at London 2012, as well as winning numerous world championships.

Clark, who is part of a 12-strong squad, will move to Barcelona in April.

"All of us have a huge amount to learn about these boats - none of us have been on these boats before," she said.

More than 300 sailors applied to take part, before 18 months of trials, both on water and using simulators, to see if they were up to the challenge of sailing high-tech AC40s.

Clark said: "As a female athlete, the Olympics has been the pathway and there's not been much activity to be able to get into after that, so this will hopefully bring a new pool of athletes up to speed."

The Women's America's Cup will take place in September and October.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 183