Paralympics London 2012 - Helena Lucas regains 2.4mR lead

by IFDS on 4 Sep 2012 At the London 2012 Paralympic Sailing Competition, Helena Lucas (GBR) stormed back to the top of the 2.4mR leader board following a fantastic day of racing that saw the Brit win both races. With six races done and dusted, the discard has now come into force and Lucas sits at the top of the tree on eight points, losing her 11th in Race 4.

'The lead is fantastic, but it could easily be eroded,' said Lucas after racing. 'I've got to keep it in perspective after yesterday's second race disappointment. [Lucas finished 11th]. I was not rattled by yesterday and I had really good speed today.'

The light winds, sometimes dropping below three knots, were far from kind to the Sunday evening leaders. Overnight leader Heiko Kroger (GER) had his worst day on the water with a fourth in Race 5 followed up with a discarded 12th in Race 6. He trails Lucas on 17 points. Thierry Schmitter (NED) rounds up the podium midway through the competition on 20 points.

As light winds forced a morning postponement the afternoons 7-8 knots seemed to suit Lucas who led Race 5 from start to finish as she blew the fleet away to take the bullet 36 seconds ahead of Denmark's Jens Als Andersen who also revelled in the lighter winds for his best day so far.

Race 6, raced in similar conditions, saw Lucas weave her way through the field having rounded the first mark in sixth. She made up two places by the next mark and crossed the finish line in second place behind Norway's Bjorner Erikstad. However the Norwegian had been on the course side at the start and scored 17 points for the race. Lucas took the one point and with five races to go she has a commanding nine point lead.

The fleet resume racing tomorrow at 11:10 on the Portland Harbour Course.

Top Five

1. Helena Lucas (GBR) - 8pts
2. Heiko Kroger (GER) - 17pts
3. Thierry Schmitter (NED) - 20pts
4. Damien Seguin (FRA) - 21pts
5. Paul Tingley (CAN) - Disabled Sailing London 2012 Paralympic Website