Headlines such as “Mills the Supreme optimist aims to follow in the wake of Olympic stars” (Times 5.10.02) and “Teenager Hannah sails into sporting world class” (Western Mail 3.01.03) heralded Hannah’s sailing reputation in the UK and abroad.

This excitement followed Hannah’s success in the single-handed U.16 Optimist sailing dinghy. By Easter 2003, aged 15 Hannah, had won every major Optimist title in the UK, sailing in mixed fleets of around 300 boats. She bettered this by winning the World Championship later in the summer, producing the best ever overall British result. This record still stands.

Hannah’s sailing career started, when only 8 years old, at Llanishen sailing centre in Cardiff and soon she was invited to join the Welsh Optimist Squad. The Welsh Yachting Association’s National Optimist coach, Alan Williams, nurtured her sailing talents, providing her with a sailing programme culminating in the Optimist Girls world championship title.

In 2002 she won the MDL Young Sailor of the Year award at the London Boat Show and the BBC Wales Young Female Sports Personality of the Year.

At 15, now too old for the Optimist, Hannah moved into the International 420 with Peggy Webster as her crew. This was a new challenge; neither girl had sailed a double - handed boat before. Admirably rising to the challenge, within six weeks they qualified for the World Championships in Australia where, in January 2004, they finished as U.17 Ladies World Champions.

By the end of 2006 Hannah and Peggy had won the 420 Junior European championship title twice, the National Championship, the RYA Youth Nationals and the Open World Championship. They were the first British sailors to win the Open World Championship for 6 years. In 2005 they were also selected as the GBR representative at the World Youth Championships finishing in fourth place.

Hannah, now too old for the Youth class, then moved into the International 470 - the Women’s double-handed boat, chosen for the London Olympics in 2012. Hannah, at the helm, and Katrina Hughes, as her crew, soon produced noteworthy results such as the 2007 Junior (U.22) 470 European Ladies title.

Success continued in 2008. The girls won the 470 Junior (U.22) World Championship in Poland followed by the silver medal at the 470 Junior (U.22) European Ladies Championship in Croatia. Earlier in the year they achieved a top 10 result at the Princessa Sofia Olympic regatta in Palma del Majorca where they competed against Olympic sailors from many countries.

Hannah has had much media coverage, featuring in the London Evening Standard, Yachts and Yachting, The Times, and The Independent among others. She has also appeared on BBC Wales and been interviewed by Radio 4 and Five Live as well as various Welsh radio programmes.

Outside Sailing, Hannah is a keen sportsperson particularly enjoying skiing and windsurfing. Hannah has completed two years of a MEng degree at Bristol University. This is now on hold so that she can focus on her Olympic dream.