Celebrating International Women’s Day
Anna Weis On Giving Female Athletes The Freedom To Fail
The former Olympic sailor talks pressures and privilege of pioneering change
Anna Weis has the kind of megawatt smile that comes from a deep sense of inner peace and a serenity of spirit that stems from knowing you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Today, for Weis, that place is the Tommy Hilfiger offices in Sydney. The 26-year-old was whisked there straight off her flight from Los Angeles as part of the brand’s partnership with the United States SailGP team who she regularly competes with as the sport’s first (and only) full-time female grinder and jib trimmer, propelling her team’s foiling F50 catamaran to speeds over 100 km/h.
“We’re essentially the engine of the boat,” explains the Florida native of the job, her tone as unassuming as it is assured. But try as she might to brush it off, Weis stepping into one of – if not the – most physically demanding roles in the sport is undeniably history-making, requiring an intense training schedule and dedication. “I think just because of the power and the strength that it requires it’s hard to not compare yourself but I just focus on doing the best job that I can in the role, and just improving every single day.” Adding, “it’s cool because I can shape my own path within SailGP.”
Forging her own path is what brought Weis to this point – and why she fell in love with sailing at eight years old. “You’re out there sailing a boat on your own. You’re in complete control and it’s this incredible sense of freedom.” Of course, being a woman (and the first woman to do a role) in a sport long dominated by men has come with its challenges. In March 2022 the sailor took to Instagram to speak out about the unique pressures facing female athletes, especially as it pertains to appearance. “I remember when I first started lifting at 15 and my friends would say, ‘Anna, you have biceps as big as the football players.’ I felt so insecure. I wanted that guy to have a crush on me and not to be seen as the girl with biceps,” she tells marie claire.
But over time, the former Olympian – who competed in Tokyo before transitioning to SailGP in 2021 – has learned to reframe her thinking. “I’m focusing more on what my body can do for me rather than how it looks. I believe strength is beautiful. It doesn’t fit into society’s narrow definition of femininity or what a woman is “supposed” to be but I think it’s incredibly rewarding.”
This mindset – anchored in owning her inner strength – has been a driving force in Weis’ career. “Self-doubt creeps in, and that’s normal,” she admits, her smile never wavering. “It’s something every athlete faces. But you just have to keep getting up and trying again.” For Weis, empowering female athletes with the freedom to fail – and allowing them to try again when things don’t go to plan – is crucial.
“We’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t,” she reflects. “People are always waiting for women to fail. But then, do they expect us to get back up and try again? I’m not sure.” Weis believes the key to supporting female athletes is giving women the space to make mistakes, learn from them, and grow. “Men mess up, and they’re given another shot, but when a woman does, it’s like, ‘Oh, we knew she wasn’t good enough.’ Changing that narrative is essential.”
And changing the narrative – in so many ways – is exactly what Weis plans to do in her career. When it was announced last year that Tommy Hilfiger would be the Official Lifestyle Apparel Partner of the United States SailGP Team, she quickly embraced the partnership, hoping it would help establish sailing as a sport with undeniable style. “Growing up as an athlete, I never really felt like fashion was for me,” she reflects. “But through working with Tommy, I’ve realised it’s a great way to embrace who I am as an athlete and express myself as a person.”
Attending Tommy Hilfiger’s show at New York Fashion Week last year was a “pinch me moment” for Weis. Though still in awe, she’s sure she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. “I know how hard I’ve worked,” she says with a smile, and you can tell she absolutely believes it.