Helena Lucas’ sheer determination, that has encouraged many other women to become involved in sailing, contributed to her being presented with the 2013 Ladies Day Trophy award yesterday.

The MBE recipient, who was born with no thumbs and limited extension in her arms, made history claiming the 2.4mR Paralympic gold medal at last year’s London Paralympic Games.

With this astonishing achievement Lucas became the first ever female winner of the male dominated Paralympic class and Britain’s first ever Paralympic sailing gold medallist.

Lucas is continuing on the road to Rio 2016 on a quest for her second gold medal.

This week Lucas is sailing an SB20 with her coach Ian Barker – Olympic Silver Medallist in Sydney 2000 in the 49er class, and Vicky Rawlinson – former 420 youth world champion and Olympic 470 trialist.

Of the many other nominations received for the trophy, four other sailors competing at Cowes Week 2013 were commended at the ceremony and collected runners-up prizes including professional ocean racing sailor Pip Hare, Cowes Week veteran Jan Ford, solo cross-channel challenger Natasha Lambert and expert yachtswoman Julie Hodder.