Helena Lucas MBE
About Me
“Helena Lucas is a huge
inspiration and a fantastic
asset for the sport of sailing.
She’s great fun and lights up
any room she walks into!”
Sir Ben Ainslie
BIO
“British sailing’s golden girl, Helena Lucas made history claiming 2.4mR Paralympic gold at London 2012, becoming the first ever female winner of the male dominated Paralympic class and Britain’s first ever Paralympic sailing gold medallist. She went on to win Bronze in Rio making her Britain’s most successful Paralympic sailor.
Helena, who was born with no thumbs and limited extension in her arms, is in the unusual position of having done both Olympic and Paralympic campaigns. Having sailed 470s since 1997 she moved into the
Paralympic 2.4mR in 2003 before making her Paralympic Games debut at Beijing 2008. She then went on to win Gold in London and Bronze in Rio.
Helena is now focusing her career to motivate and inspire others through coaching, motivational speaking, and team building to be the best they can. “
How it Began
My dream since I was six years old was to compete at the Olympics;
I am in the unusual position of having done both Olympic and Paralympic campaigns. Having sailed the Olympic 470 class since 1997 I moved into the Paralympic 2.4mR in 2004 before making my Games debut at Beijing 2008.
How it Began
My dream since I was six years old was to compete at the Olympics;
I am in the unusual position of having done both Olympic and Paralympic campaigns. Having sailed the Olympic 470 class since 1997 I moved into the Paralympic 2.4mR in 2004 before making my Games debut at Beijing 2008.
Olympics to Paralympics
“One of the biggest decisions I had to make was the switch from Olympics’ to Paralympics. Never having considered myself disabled and always sailed in the
Becoming a Double Medallist
Paralympics and was a strong medal contender going into the regatta, however finished a disappointing 7th overall.
I believe my experience and disappointment in Beijing is what helped me win Gold in London and become Britain’s first ever Paralympic sailing gold medallist. Despite many people saying “it doesn’t get better than this” I was not ready to retire yet, so began my campaign for Rio on a quest for a second gold medal.
After a hard fought week battling on the waters of Rio I was in Gold Medal position going into the last race. However I unfortunately picked up a plastic bag on my rudder, costing me the Gold medal but still went on to win Bronze and becoming Britain’s most successful paralympic sailor.
A New Career
I now want to use my experience from competing and achieving at the very top of my sport, to motivate and inspire others through coaching, Speaking and team building to be the best they can. Outside of the sporting arena Helena graduated in 1996 from Southampton Solent University with a BEng Hons in Yacht and Power Craft design. She was married to her long time partner Stephen Thomas in 2010. In 2013 Helena was awarded the MBE for her services to sailing and also Honorary Doctorate degrees from Winchester, Southampton Solent and Bournemouth Universities. She has been nominated by World Sailing for “sailor of the Year” twice.
Testimonials
“Helena Lucas is a huge inspiration and a fantastic asset for the sport of sailing. She’s great fun and lights up any room she walks into!”
“Charles Russell have been delighted with their long term association with Helena, up to the Beijing Olympics and then on to her great victory in the spectacular Paralympic sailing at Weymouth and Portland last August. Her combination of excellence and inspiration has always appealed to us and we look forward to working with her and more success in the future.”
“We all enjoyed a lively, enthusiastic gallop through her fascinating experiences from Beijing 2008 to London 2012 which enthralled an audience that ranged from their mid 20s to active pensioners.”
“Helena gave a talk to my sales force in November 2016. The team were fascinated by her story, her enthusiasm and her will to win. She was very accommodating and gave the talk at short notice. It was what we asked for – a demonstration of determination. She may be small in stature but her words were powerful!”
If you would like to enquire about booking Helena for your event
or to discuss an ambassador role please contact me.
ambassador for
