Elliot Hanson

Elliot Hanson, born on February 12, 1994, in Macclesfield, began his sailing journey at the age of eight, developing a competitive spirit by racing family members during holidays in Wales. His passion for sailing was further fueled by watching his role model, fellow Macclesfield native and four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie. Hanson purchased his first boat, an Optimist, for £100, which marked the beginning of his professional career. Early in his career, Hanson secured the Topper World Championship title in Tralee in 2008, followed by becoming a Topper dinghy National Champion.

Hanson played a significant role in Britain’s 2017 Youth America’s Cup team victory. Following this, he chose to focus on Laser sailing, attracted by its independence and high level of competition. Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, including a knee injury and an ankle surgery that temporarily halted his training and competition, Hanson demonstrated resilience. His return to the international stage was marked by a gold medal win in Medemblik, showcasing his ability to overcome challenges.

Elliot Hanson’s career progression continued with notable achievements such as winning a gold medal at the Sailing World Cup Series and Olympic Test Event in Japan in 2018. In February 2020, he secured fifth place at the Laser World Championships, which qualified him for the 15th and final sailing spot on Team GB for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Later that year, in October 2020, Hanson was crowned the European champion, locking out the podium for Great Britain in Gdansk. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Hanson finished 12th overall in the Men’s One Person Dinghy – Laser event. In 2022, he won the 5.5 Metre World Championship in Hanko, where he unexpectedly helmed the boat. He is currently ranked 5th in the ILCA 7 World Sailing rankings, making him the second-highest-ranked British sailor in this class.