Hannah Stodel
- Date of birth:
- 27 August 1985
- Star sign:
- Virgo
- Place of birth:
- Colchester, UK
- Current Hometown:
- Weymouth
- Nickname:
- H, Pottamos
Hannah, who was born without a right forearm, became Britain’s first female sailing Paralympian when she and the British Sonar team of John Robertson and Stephen Thomas made their Paralympic debut at Athens 2004. This will be the team's third consecutive Paralympics.
Back-to-back World Championship wins in 2005 and 2006 saw the trio catapulted into the ‘favourites’ bracket for Beijing 2008. But the trio endured a tough Paralympic regatta in China, where they finished sixth, matching their Athens result of four years previously.
World Championship silvers in 2010 and 2011 and 2012 Worlds bronze show why the trio will be amongst the favourites for London 2012.
Hannah comes from a sailing family with mum Sue having campaigned for selection for Seoul 1988.
Hannah's Q&A Session
| First boat sailed and where? | Mirror, Brightlingsea |
| Who got you into sailing? | My parents |
| Favourite boat? | Sonar of course! |
| Biggest influence in your career to date? | My mum |
| My worst moment (sailing)? | Losing in Beijing |
| My best moment (sailing)? | Deciding to campaign again- 3rd time lucky! |
| Best sailing venue in the UK? | Weymouth! |
| Best sailing venue in the World? | San Francisco takes some beating! |
| Most annoying rule in the sailing rule book? | They took away 17.2!! |
| If you werent a professional sailor what else would you be? | Bored out of mind! |
| How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? | Perseverance, determination and above all belief in yourself! |
| What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? | Horse riding and reading generally. I do like to try climbing every now and then, although I'm pretty rubbish at it |
| Has injury ever prevented you from sailing? | It shoud have done. I fractured my arm a few years ago, but legged it before they could plaster it up! |
| Most expensive sailing accident? | Breaking a sonar rig! |
| Which football club you support & do you actively go and see them? | None |
| Do you follow any other sports? | Sailing mainly, I sometimes watch show jumping |
| Any heroes? | Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox Johnston |
| What other sports do you play? | Horse-riding |
| What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it? | Loads of stuff because I spend all my money on sailing! |
| Worst habit? | Cleaning obsession! |
| What word or phrase most depicts your personality? | Friutloop! |
| If you were a pantomime character who would it be? | Umpa loompa! |
| Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? | Loads- four leaf clover, lucky coin etc! |
| Whats your greatest fear or phobia? | Drowning |
| Favourite reality show? And would you go on it? | Strictly come dancing? |
| Name 3 things that are always in your shopping trolley? | Milk, Dairylea and chocolate!! |
| What was the last book you read? | Harry Potter 3 |
| What makes you angry? | Untidy, disorganized people |
| Dream holiday? | Nice quiet beach! |