Stephen Thomas
- Date of birth:
- 05 January 1977
- Star sign:
- Capricorn
- Place of birth:
- Bridgend, UK
- Current Hometown:
- Weymouth
- Nickname:
- Steveo
Steve, who is a double below the knee amputee after suffering from meningitis in 1996, has the unusual distiction of having represented Britain at both the Winter and Summer Paralympic Games.
The British threesome of Thomas, John Robertson and Hannah Stodel arrived on the Sonar scene as the new kids on the Paralympic block at Athens 2004, where they finished sixth. Two years later Stephen competed at the Turin 2006 Winter Paralympics in Ice Sledge Hockey.
Back-to-back World Championship wins in 2005 and 2006 saw Sunderland’s John, Hannah and Welshman Stephen 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.
Steve's Q&A Session
First boat you sailed and where? | The Sonar on the Tyne |
What got you interested in sailing? | Wanting to represent GB at the Paralympics |
Favourite boat? | SB3 |
Biggest influence in your career to date? | My teammates, Hannah and John and my coach Mark Rushall |
Your worst moment in sailing? | Not Medalling in Beijing 2008 |
Your best moment in sailing? | Winning our first World Championships in 2005 |
Best sailing venue in the UK? | Weymouth |
Best sailing venue in the World? | Swan River, Perth, Australia |
Most annoying rule in the sailing rule book? | Pumping Rule |
If you weren’t a professional sailor what else would you be? | A professional rugby player |
How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic class sailor? | Initially high volumes of training to develop your core skills, followed by good coaching and most important you have to enjoy it! |
What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? | Fitness/training and also my family |
Has injury ever prevented you from sailing? | Yes, I have had neck surgery and leg surgery |
Most expensive sailing accident? | I managed to pierce a cruising boat with a 2.4m whilst trying to moor onto a pontoon |
Do you follow any other sports? | I enjoy watching all kinds of sport |
Any heroes? | My Mum and Dad also Steve Redgrave and Lance Armstrong |
What other sports do you play? | I hit the gym a regularly and mix it up with weights, cycling and circuits |
What would you love to do but never have the time or money for it? | Learn to fly |
Worst habit? | Untidiness |
What word or phrase most depicts your personality? | Stubborn |
If you were a pantomime character – who would it be? | The Dame |
What’s your greatest fear or phobia? | Not performing to my best |
If you had a theme song – what would it be? | One Shot (Lose Yourself) by Eminem |
What better about football than sailing? | Nothing really, football seems pretty one dimensional. Sailing has so many variables to it and is much more challenging. |
Where do you keep your medals? | On a bookshelf in my bedroom |