2.4m

Helena Lucas

Helena Lucas

Date of birth:
28 April 1975
Star sign:
Taurus
Place of birth:
Redhill, Surrey
Current Hometown:
Southampton
Nickname:
H, little H, Helly
Race class:


2.4mR

Helena is in the unusual position of having done both Olympic and Paralympic campaigns. Having raced a 470 since 1997, she switched to the 2.4mR Paralympic class in 2003 and claimed her first 2.4mR Worlds medal – silver – in Perth, Australia in 2006.

That same year saw Helena achieve the unique feat of taking the Yngling Olympic Classes keelboat helm for a one-off at the 2006 Olympic Test Event and winning silver, for which she was shortlisted for 2006 ISAF World Sailor of the Year.

Her Paralympic Games debut came at Beijing 2008 where she finished seventh. IFDS Worlds bronze medals in 2009 and 2011 will ensure she goes into London 2012 amongst the favourites to win a medal.

Helena Lucas - 2.4m Paralympic Class

 

Helena's Q&A Session

First boat sailed and where? Enterprise with my parents on hedge court lake
Who got you into sailing? My Parents
Favourite boat? Extreme 40, I had a chance to have a go on Shirley's boat in Hyeres, it was awesome even though there were a couple of scary moments.
Your worst moment in sailing? Doing the death roll in the Enterprise with my mum and dad when I was only 8.
Your best moment in sailing? Sailing the Yngling with Annie Lush and Lucy McGregor at the Beijing test event and winning silver.
Best sailing venue in the UK? Weymouth
Best sailing venue in the World? Perth Australia
Most annoying rule in the sailing rule book? Z flag, its hardly ever used these days, probably because everyone thinks the same as me that its pointless
If you weren't a professional sailor what else would you be? Yacht designer/Naval architect
How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? Through the RYA Youth System
What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? Spending time and sailing with Steve my partner, windsurfing and skiing
Has injury ever prevented you from sailing? No
Most expensive sailing accident? When I wrote off a brand new Tornado mast that we were taking home on the roofof the van. We stopped over night at a hotel and as we turned in to the car park the mast caught on the trailer behind and folded in two.
Football club you support and do you actively go and see them? Southampton, we used to have season tickets, but when they got relegated decided it was too expensive. Like to watch Manu play too
Do you follow any other sports? Yes most sports really, but especially cycling and athletics
Any heroes? Lance Armstrong, Seb Coe
What other sports do you play? Skiing, windsurfing, cycling, badminton
What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it? To sail around the World with my partner in a luxury yacht
Worst habit? Talking too much
What word or phrase most depicts your personality? Bubbly
If you were a pantomime character  who would it be? Cinderella
Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? I have a lucky DVD (Wimbledon)
Whats your greatest fear or phobia? Having rats crawling all over me
If you had a theme song what would it be? Queen - We Will Rock You
Favourite reality show and would you go on it? X Factor and no I cant sing
Name 3 things that are always in your shopping trolley? Diet Coke, bagles and tomatoes
What was the last book you read? Bradley Wiggins Autobiography
What makes you angry? Not getting my own way.
Dream holiday? Sailing and windsurfing in the Caribbean
What better about football than sailing? There are no postponements
Where do you keep your medals? On a shelf.

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