Hi, welcome to Steve's personal site. Here you will be able to follow his progress and read his comments and thoughts about life as part of Team Oyster.
Watch this space!
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STEPHEN THOMAS
- About Him
- Steve was the last to join this successful trio. Having not stepped into a racing boat until Jan 2003, Steve faced the biggest learning curve of all, but his natural talent, commitment, perseverance and drive to achieve soon saw him become a major part of the team. Mentally tough and physically strong, Steve adds a whole new dimension to the team, keeping Hannah and John focused and positive. Follow Steve on his run up to the 2008 Paralympic Games.
Steve"s Bio
Stephen Thomas makes up the last of this successful trio. Originally from Bridgend, he now lives in Cardiff where he is a member of the Cardiff Bay Yacht Club.
Stephen lost his legs in 1998 when he contracted Meningococcal Septicaemia. This resulted in the amputation of both legs below the knees.
Unlike John and Hannah, Stephen did not grow up sailing. However, after a number of years competing for Great Britain at Ice Hockey (including representing Great Britain at the 2002 Winter Olympics), he decided he wanted a new challenge and took up the invitation to train with the Paralympic Sailing Team at the end of 2002 after participating in a number of gruelling selection trials. The results of the team since 2003 speak for themselves.
The Royal Yachting Association have been so impressed with Stephen’s commitment and determination they have often used him as a mentor to National Youth Squad sailors as an example of the qualities needed to make it to the very top of the sport.
On the boat, Stephen plays the very physically demanding role of mainsheet, primarily controlling and trimming the mainsail, ballast (hiking to keep the boat flat as possible) and ensuring communication is kept to the highest standard.
Off the boat, Stephen can be found pumping weights in the gym and is one of the physically strongest members of Skandia Team GBR Squad, bettering the performances shown by the able-bodied Finn and Star Squad Sailors.
Stephen, along with Hannah and John, created history in January 2006 by successfully defending the IFDS World Championship Title in the Sonar class. His goal for 2008 is the same as the team’s: to win Paralympic Gold!