After her initial experience, Mills expressed her desire to continue sailing to her parents. She began racing and progressed through the British system of junior and youth sailing. This journey has been a fulfilling one for her.

Mills pursued higher education in Mechanical Engineering at Bristol University in England. Her academic background complements her athletic career, showcasing her diverse talents.

Influences and Achievements

Throughout her career, Mills has been influenced by coaches Alan Williams and Joe Glanfield. She also looks up to British sailors Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy, as well as England rugby union player Jonny Wilkinson.

Mills has received numerous awards and honours. In 2017, she was awarded an honorary doctorate of science degree from the University of Chichester. She was also named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the 2017 New Year's Honours list.

Alongside her sailing partner Saskia Clark, Mills was named the 2016 Female World Sailor of the Year by World Sailing. In 2002, she was recognised as the UK Young Sailor of the Year and won the Carwyn James Award for outstanding junior achievements at the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year.

Challenges and Philosophy

Mills has faced several challenges in her career. Following the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, she sustained concussions, a bleed on the brain, and underwent a gastroscopy to address a stomach issue.

Despite these setbacks, Mills remains resilient. She avoids having the colour green on her boat due to personal beliefs. Her sporting philosophy is to take both good and bad events in stride and learn from them. She believes that doing one's best is all that can be asked for.

SailGP Aspirations

In April 2021, Mills joined trials in Bermuda for the Great Britain SailGP team ahead of the 2021/22 Global Sailing Championships. She acknowledged the talent of her fellow triallists but expressed confidence in her abilities as a quick learner and hard worker.

Delayed Retirement

Mills had planned to retire after the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo but postponed these plans due to the Games' delay by a year. She emphasised the all-consuming nature of an Olympic campaign and highlighted her commitment to delivering her best performance alongside her crew, Eilidh McIntyre.

Crewmate Collaboration

After Saskia Clark's retirement following the 2016 Olympics, Mills teamed up with Eilidh McIntyre in January 2017. Mills chose McIntyre for her motivation and passion for sailing. Both athletes share a common goal of winning an Olympic gold medal.

Environmental Advocacy

Mills is also known for her environmental advocacy. She founded Big Plastic Pledge, an initiative aimed at eradicating single-use plastics in sport. As a sustainability ambassador for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), she has witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of plastic pollution on oceans during her travels.

Mills' dedication to reducing single-use plastic extends to her Olympic campaign with McIntyre. Their efforts highlight their commitment to environmental sustainability alongside their sporting achievements.

Hannah Mills continues to inspire both on and off the water with her dedication to sailing and environmental causes. Her journey reflects resilience, passion, and a commitment to excellence in every endeavour she undertakes.