PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Lucas wants her gold to be start of British sailing dominance

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat, London 2012

HELENA Lucas wants her historic first British Paralympic sailing medal to be the first of many.

Lucas won gold in the one-person keelboat in Weymouth, Britain's first ever Paralympic sailing medal.

And she was followed by Niki Birrell and Alexandra Rickham winning bronze in the two-person class.

British sailors have dominated the Olympics, winning 23 medals since 2000 - the year sailing was introduced to the Paralympics.

Now Lucas is hoping to see a similar level of dominance from Paralympic sailors in Rio and beyond.

"We have been inspired by the Olympic guys and the medals that they have won since Atlanta when sailing really started to find it's form," said the 37-year-old, who placed seventh in Beijing.

"I don't really understand why it has taken so long in Paralympics sailing because we have had exactly the same support. 

"The Olympic guys have pushed us all the way and they are quite often jumping in other boats and training against us.

"We have always performed at World Championships and got medals there, we just couldn't quite bring it together at the Paralympics.

"I think we have now found that formula and we know what to do. In Rio let's hope for three medals in three classes - that would be awesome."

© Sportsbeat 2012