London 2012 Paralympic Games - Helena Lucas joins GBR sailing team

by Kate Holmes on 12 May 2012 London 2012 Paralympic Games sailing competition is being held on the beautiful but testing waters of Weymouth Bay, in the south coast of England, from 1st to 6th September.

Helena Lucas has been handed the chance to compete for her Olympic gold medal dream after the sailor was picked as one of the six members of the British Paralympic sailing team for the London Games. Charles Russell LLP sponsored Lucas will be racing the 2.4mR single-handed keelboat on the home waters of Weymouth and Portland this summer.

Lucas’s inclusion at the expense of Megan Pascoe comes after a run of solid performances where she gained silver at both the Hyeres World Cup and the Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia MAPFRE 2012. Selection for a Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career and the decision to delay the announcement for the 2.4mR boat was due to the intensive competition between Lucas and teammate Pascoe for the final place in the sailing team.

Lucas though, admitted that she was delighted to finally take the coveted spot: 'I feel really proud to be part of team GB and with it being a home Games it feels extra special. I think these Games, both in terms of Paralympic sailing and the Paralympics in general, will be one of the best Paralympic Games ever just because the British support and interest in the Paralympic sport has been fantastic, and the country seems to be really enthused and motivated by the athletes.'

Helena will be racing against female and male competitors in the class, considered by many as ‘the most competitive Paralympic fleet’, the yachting world have tipped Helena as a favourite to bring home a medal.

The funds provided by the Charles Russell sponsorship have meant that Helena has been able to purchase a new boat that she will be racing in Weymouth and Portland, the 2012 sailing venue. Patrick Russell, Senior Partner at Charles Russell LLP commented; 'Helena is an extremely talented yachtswoman and Charles Russell is delighted to continue her support. As someone who has previously competed successfully against able-bodied sailors at the highest level, she really is an example to us all, the Charles Russell team wish her the very best of luck this summer.'

Charles Russell is proud to work with, and support, some of the biggest names in British Sport. The firm are also sponsors of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the outstanding 2012 sailing venue, where their support has been invaluable in the running of reduced rate community sailing programmes and the development of an Olympic London 2012 Paralympic Games website