Lucas bids for historic golden repeat in Rio

Helena Lucas © Paul Wyeth / RYA

Helena Lucas © Paul Wyeth / RYA

London 2012 gold medallist Helena Lucas admits the chance to make history by becoming the first person to ever defend a Paralympic sailing title is fuelling her ambitions as her quest for Rio 2016 glory gets underway on Monday.

In topping the one-person 2.4mR class podium four years ago, Southampton-based Lucas became the first British Paralympic gold medallist since sailing became a full programme sport at Sydney 2000, while as the only female in the 2012 2.4mR fleet, she also became the class' first female Paralympic medallist and champion.

The Surrey-born 41-year-old, who was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours, was the first British athlete (Olympic or Paralympic) to be selected for Rio 2016 in April 2015 and heads to what is her third Paralympics having added three more World Championship medals to her trophy cabinet since her London triumph.

Lucas, who was born with no thumbs and limited extension in her arms, describes winning gold at her home Games as "the ultimate pinnacle" of her career. But as post-Rio retirement looms, and with sailing not currently part of the Paralympic programme for Tokyo 2020, she wants to go out on the highest high possible.

Lucas said: "What drives me and inspires me is the chance of winning another gold medal and defending my title, which at the moment is something no Paralympic sailor has managed to do.

"For London we felt it all came together just at the right time, but there was still a lot more we could do and there was more to come. Rio was another realistic gold medal opportunity.

"When I was standing on the podium at London 2012 the first emotion was relief. Years and years of hard work has gone in to it and finally you've achieved it. It took ages for it to sink in and it sort of felt like somebody else had won it!

"Hopefully if I have the opportunity to stand on the top step in Rio it will feel quite different. It would be very emotional, especially as this is the last chance for Paralympic sailing to win medals. It's certainly my last chance of winning a medal."

Rio lived up to its reputation as one of the hardest places in the world to sail during last month's Olympic Games, and with the breeze affected by the mountains and cityscape around Rio combined with tricky tide and current, the Paralympic sailors are also going to have to prove their adaptability in all conditions to taste success.

But with the British Team Sailors having spent between 60-80 days in Rio during this Paralympic cycle, Lucas believes she is as prepared as she can possibly be to defend her crown.

She added: "I'm really pleased with my kit and in most conditions I've got some really good speed, which is really useful and gets me out of trouble a few times!

"The standard of the 2.4mR class has always been high, but it's got even higher. It's now quite easy to make a couple of mistakes and find yourself in eighth or ninth, but in the past you could get away with a couple of mistakes and still be fourth or fifth.

"I think I have the determination and attitude of never giving up. Every single point counts and every boat you can pass counts. Focusing on taking one place at a time and working my way up through the fleet. That was certainly my attitude for London 2012 and it's what enabled me to win gold."

The 2.4mR class is scheduled to contest an 11 race series, with two races per day from Monday 12 – Friday 16 September before the final series race, after which the medals will be awarded, on Saturday 17 September.

To follow Lucas' fortunes at Rio 2016 visit www.rya.org.uk/Rio2016, follow @BritishSailing on Twitter and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/britishsailingteam