SAILOR STEVE SCOOPS GOLD
25 Apr 2008
Stephen Thomas has claimed Great Britain’s first medal at the French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyeres, clinching gold with a day to spare in the Paralympic Sonar class on Thursday (24 April).
Together with team-mates Hannah Stodel and John Robertson, Thomas has been selected for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
The trio led the three-person keelboat fleet since the start of the regatta, clinching eight race wins out of nine races so far, to notch up a seven point lead with one race still to go on Friday.
The Skandia Team GBR trio have found good speed in their new boat, being raced competitively for the first time in Hyeres.
But helmsman Robertson, although pleased with the team’s performance, remains focussed on the main prize:
“It’s a good result and really pleasing that we’ve been sailing well, but this week’s really been about the getting new boat all ready.
“It’s not about this event – that’s just a stepping stone along the way to making sure we’re in the best shape we can be for Beijing.”
