Sailing Athlete Joanne Shephard
Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire
Joanne is 30 years old. She has trained and competed with Special Olympics in a number of sports. She has sailed for the past 3 years with Lee Cox and their unified partner Ray Stead.
Joanne says: “I do the sheets, the rope part. Lee does the helm. And drills. I like doing the capsize drill.”
Coach, Nic says: “Jo has a natural calm. But she really moves when she has to. Where we train in the London docks there are always unexpected wind changes. And they’ve had to manage some tricky conditions, especially at the last national games in Glasgow. But she never flaps. And she’s the only person we know who manages to keep her hair dry when she capsizes!”
Jo has problems with fluid on her brain and in 2004 had some very difficult months. But she recovered and was keen to get back to her sailing.
Nic says: “Jo never misses training. She’s had some tough times. But she’s recovered and she’s raring to go.”
Jo is excited to be selected for the world games. She and Lee have taken part in a number of competitions. Jo had only been sailing about a year before the two of them won a silver medal at the Special Olympics national games in Glasgow. They have also won gold at a London regatta. They will compete at the world games at Level 3. It will be their biggest competition so far.
Jo says: “We came second in Glasgow. I felt really happy. And proud. I’m really looking forward to Shanghai. I love meeting people and making friends with other athletes.”
Jo works 3 days a week at a garden centre.
TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ATHLETES OR COACHES, PLEASE CONTACT THE SOGB NATIONAL OFFICE.
TELEPHONE: 020 7696 5569 OR EMAIL TO: pr@sogb.org.uk