World Sailor of the Year | About | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Website : Helena LUCAS (GBR)

It was a tough day for race officials and competitors on the water at the High Liner Foods IFDS Worlds 2014 underway at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Florian Gruber (GER) and Steph Bridge (GBR) top the leaderboard after the first day of racing at the 2014 Formula Kite World Championship at Burc Beach, Istanbul, Turkey.

The strongest breeze of the competition thus far is expected for the third day of competition on Lake Jinniu with up to eight knots of breeze on the menu.

Helena LUCAS (GBR) uniquely illustrates the accessibility of sailing demonstrating outstanding performance during the nomination period in both Paralympic and Olympic disciplines.

LUCAS sailed a 2.4mR for the first time in 2004 and quickly proved her ability to adapt to new challenges and new techniques. She kicked off the 2006 nomination period with an outstanding bronze medal at the 2.4mR World Championship, an event open to able bodied and disabled sailors. She followed this up with a silver medal at the Alcoa IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships in January 2006 and another silver in Hyères.

Whilst the lure of Olympic competition is always close to her heart and her sights are firmly set on the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Competition, LUCAS also thrives on competing in Open fleets.

When LUCAS was asked to stand in for new mother and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley ROBERTSON in the Yngling at the 2006 Qingdao International Regatta she jumped at the chance. LUCAS's thirst for learning and genuine talent brought her to the podium yet again with a silver medal in her first event sailing the Yngling.

ISAF Results 2006

3rd - 2.4mR World Championship, Elba, ITA - Sep 2005 (2nd disabled)
2nd - Alcoa IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships, 2.4mR, Perth, AUS - Jan 2006
2nd - Semaine Olympique Française, 2.4mR, Hyères, FRA - May 2006
6th - Kiel Week, 2.4mR, Kiel, GER - Jun 2006
11th - 2.4mR World Championship, Helsinki, FIN - Aug 2006 (3rd disabled)
2nd - Qingdao International Regatta Yngling, Qingdao, CHN - ISAF Grade 2 - Aug 2006

Name:	Helena LUCAS (GBR)
Place of birth:	Redhill, Surrey, Great Britain
Date of birth:	27513
Profession:	Sailor
ISAF Sailor ID:	GBRHL1
What inspired you to take up sailing?	My parents introduced me to sailing, but I did not take to it straight away. It was after attending my sailing club's Junior Helm week that I really had the desire to start competing.
What was the first boat you sailed?	Mirror dinghy with my sister aged 10
How did you buy your first boat and what was it?	My first boat was a topper which my parents bought for me.
Name your first sailing club:	Crawley Mariners Yacht Club
What was the first event you competed in?	Eric Twiname Trophy in 1987
What was the first event you won?	Junior Helm Cup in 1987
What are the main achievements/personal highlights of your sailing career?	Bronze at the 2.4mR Open Worlds 2005
What are the main achievements/personal highlights of your sailing career?	Silver at the IFDS Worlds 2006
What are the main achievements/personal highlights of your sailing career?	Silver at the pre-Olympic Test event in Qingdao 2006 in the Yngling
What are you future sailing goals?	To win a medal at the Paralympic Games 2008 in the 2.4mR
What are you future sailing goals?	To win a medal at the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 in the 2.4mR and the Yngling
What does sailing mean to you?	Sailing has been my life since I was 12 and dicated the degree I chose to do at university and the career I wanted. With the help of UK Sport and the National Lottery it has now become my job and has to the best job imaginable. The thrill of competing and winning, the technical challenges and the physical and mental demands make it the most rewarding sport I know.
Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing career and why?	I don't think I can name one person in particular. My parents and partner Stephen have given me immense encouragement and support over the years. The various coaches I have had but in particular my current coach Adam MAY, who brings and puts in to my campaign so much more than on the water coaching.
Who is your sailing hero?	Ellen MACARTHUR, who I first met when we both worked for Bowman Yachts. I have never forgotten the determination and commitment Ellen had to reach her goals.
What other sports do you enjoy?	Skiing, cycling and windsurfing, although I need a bit more practice on the windsurfing.
What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2006 mean to you?	It is a good honour to have been nominated and to have my sailing achievements over the past year recognized.
If you were voted as the winner, what would this mean to you?	To see my name amongst the sailing greats, such as Russell COUTTS, Peter BLAKE, Ben AINSLIE, Ellen MACARTHUR and many more would be an amazing feeling and achievement and certainly something I never dreamed of happening.