September 17, 2016 - Helena Lucas consolidated her position as
Britain’s most successful sailing Paralympian, but was left wondering
what might have been after winning Rio 2016 2.4mR class bronze today
(Saturday 17 September). Lucas secured her second successive Paralympic podium finish having won gold at her home Games four years ago.
But she couldn’t hide her disappointment at not being able to defend
her title having gone into today’s final race of the event leading
overall, only to end the race in 15th place, as Damien Seguin (FRA) sailed to gold and Matt Bugg (AUS) took silver.
After crossing the line, Lucas discovered that her boat speed had
been hindered by a plastic bag, which had got caught on her rudder. But despite her frustration, the Brit was proud that she had been
able to give it her best shot and still claim the final spot on the
podium.
Lucas’ medal, along with Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell’s bronze
in the SKUD18, means that the British Sailing Team has achieved its
pre-Rio target of two medals.
Lucas said: “It was an absolute fight in the mix, I couldn’t break
out or break free no matter what I did. I kept thinking I was doing the
right thing and getting the shifts right but I didn’t have the speed
I’ve had all week because I was towing a bag.
“I came in to this event with my eyes wide open and I thought there
would be six of us in contention for the medals so when everything
settles down a bit I will be happy I’m on the podium because it is such a
competitive fleet. I’ll let the dust settle and be happy with a medal. I
did give it my best.”
Before today Lucas had sailed with the consistency befitting of the
Paralympic podium, with a race four disqualification the only blip on an
otherwise impressive scorecard, which included two race wins and no
score outside the top five.
But that disqualification ultimately proved costly as Seguin, who
previously won gold at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 silver, was
discarding a lower score of sixth, leaving Lucas with no margin for
error in today’s winner takes all showdown.
Nevertheless the 41-year-old insists she cannot be overly
disappointed to now have Paralympic gold and bronze medals to her name.
Lucas added: “I would not switch that gold medal in London for
anything, it was so unique and you are never going to get the chance to
compete at your home Games ever again in a lifetime. To win gold there
was always going to be the ultimate highlight of my sailing career.
“It’s really disappointing not to have got gold here, having been
wearing yellow four out of the six days we have been racing. But it’s
been one of those regattas; Damien has been so consistent and has put in
a really solid performance whereas myself and Matt made ourselves a
little bit vulnerable with our discards. I’ve got my gold medal, I will
just have a bronze one instead. You just wonder what could have been.”
For live as they happen updates off the water as follow @BritishSailingwith more news at Rio 2016 visit www.rya.org.uk/Rio2016 and Facebook at www.facebook.com/britishsailingteam
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