Sporting Student’s Silver Success

19 February 2007

BU student Megan Pascoe is giving herself a fighting chance for a place at the Beijing Paralympics.

The 20-year-old Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences student claimed a silver medal at the recent US Sailing Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta.

Megan finished second in the 2.4m class of the regatta in a field that featured most of the world’s top competitors, including fellow Brit Helena Lucas who came third in Miami.

“I’m really thrilled to have brought home the silver medal from Miami,” says Megan, who is originally from Ardingly, West Sussex.

“The conditions were excellent – much like the conditions to be expected in China – and combined with the quality of the field it was a great event to do well in.

“Helena is one of my main competitors for a place on the British Paralympic team for 2008 so just proving that I can beat her was an important step although we still have the team trials in September and the selection afterwards so there is a long way to go,” she enthuses.

Megan, who has cerebral palsy, won last year’s National Championship in the single-handed 2.4 metre class of boat.

She recently received an Alumni Fund Scholarship from BU to contribute towards the development of her coaching skills.

The scholarship will also support the cost of sailing equipment as Megan works towards Paralympic qualification.