When Hannah Snellgrove (Geology 2009) was at Gonville & Caius College she deferred a year of her degree to seek a place at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Twelve years on, aged 33, she has been picked to represent Great Britain at her first Olympics, the Paris 2024 Games.

Missing out on selection at London 2012 was one of a number of setbacks which Hannah experienced. In 2014 she was dropped from the British Sailing programme and next she crowdfunded to buy a boat. 

Her perseverance has now been rewarded with a place in the Olympic sailing competition, which will take place in Marseille this summer.

“It’s been quite the 26-year project since setting foot in a boat,” she wrote on Instagram. “I like to think enthusiasm and stubbornness have made up for a possible lack of natural talent. 

“It’s 25 years since I failed my Salterns Red Pennant [a skills award], 23 years since I was told I had no potential, nine years since I was dropped from funding, and two years since I thought an injury would end my career. 

“For anyone who needs to hear this today…the view can sometimes be nice when you take the scenic route.”

Hannah was a Bell-Wade Bursary recipient at Caius, receiving funding for her excellence in sport. She was also featured in the College’s photographic exhibition to celebrate 40 years of women, which is now online, and permanently displayed in Harvey Court.

She adds: “There are so many people who have helped me over the years, and I find it incredibly humbling. 

“It is impossible to name everyone, but I am so grateful for the support, the love, and the memories.

“The favourite moment of my career will undoubtedly be telling my wonderful, long-suffering, non-sailing parents (who can now distinguish port from starboard) that I’m going to the Games and I couldn’t have asked for better squad mates who have helped shape the sailor I am today.”

Read an interview with Hannah on the British Olympic Association website.

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