Helena Lucas MBE to campaign SB20 in 2013

by Katie Jackson on 17 Apr 2013 Paralympic sailor Helena Lucas MBE will campaign a SB20 during 2013 - Lucas’ SB20 programme will include the Hyeres Grand Slam, Royal Southern Yacht Club June Regatta, the UK Open Championships in Falmouth and the Cowes Grand Slam which takes place during Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.

Lucas has a busy season in the 2.4mR class and will balance her SB20 campaign around her commitments to Team GBR. Lucas will not sail with a core crew, rather 'a host of stars,' as many of her crew options are also committed to Olympic programmes. Alison Young (Laser Radial), Lucy Macgregor (helm of Team GBR’s Match Race Girls), Penny Clark (ex Laser Radial sailor), Richard Mason (470 crew), Ian Barker (Sydney 2000 49er silver medalist) and Barbara Watson (ex 470 crew and original member of SB20 all girls team, Team Maclaren) will all sail with Lucas during the season.

'I’m really looking forward to doing some other sailing with some great sailors, and having fun in a class which has really competitive racing but is also friendly and fun too,' explained Lucas, 'I sailed with Mark Rushall in a Solent event a few years ago and loved it. I was looking to do some other sailing this year alongside the 2.4mR and the SB20 came up as a good class to get involved with. Jerry Hill from Sports boat World made his boat available to me and it’s all gone from there!'

Class suppliers Harken who also sponsor Lucas have donated a suit of sails. Volvo and Henri Lloyd will continue to support Lucas during 2013.

Lucas dominated the 2.4mR class during London 2012 and finished with the gold medal and a nine point lead over silver medalist Heiko Kroger of Germany. Lucas is the first British sailor to win a Paralympic gold medal.