FAMILY is the secret to success for Sonar team tactician Hannah Stodel who is now on a mission for gold at the Paralympics.

Stodel, 26, first got into Sailing through her parents. She said: “I grew up sailing and my mum campaigned for the Olympics in 1988 in the 470 class but sadly she didn’t qualify.”

“It’s definitely in the blood.”

Stodel’s mum Sue Bouckley is ‘really proud’ of her daughter’s profession and has taken on the role of ‘team mum,’ looking after them all and helping out with their washing and doing cooking.

Skandia Team GBR’s Stodel, who lives in Chiswell, Portland will compete in the Paralympic three-person Sonar keelboat class, alongside her crewmate Stephen Thomas and helm John Robertson.

Stodel said not only did she have the support of her relations but that the Sonar team felt like ‘one big family’.

She said: “I think it’s one of our strongest assets. We have been together for so long.

“When other teams have broken up or got new crew in, we have stuck together through thick and thin and that’s what’s going to make the difference.”

Born without a right forearm, Stodel first got into a mirror dinghy aged three and from there she has never looked back.

She became the first British woman to compete in a sailing competition at a Paralympic Games in the Sonar keelboat at Athens 2004.

When asked what her teammate’s key strengths were, Stodel said: “John for his cheerfulness and that he makes the best out of everything.

“Stephen – his determination and that inspires everyone in the team. Me, I’m organised which keeps everything together and it works quite well.”

A typical day in the life of the team would normally involve an early start for a gym session, Stodel said, followed by a trip down to Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy to do boat work and get out on the water.

The team, who have moved to Mylor, near Falmouth, Cornwall to train while the Olympic venue is under lockdown, are currently gaining weight to be more powerful in the heavy keelboat class.

They have been drinking protein shakes and eating meat including lots of chicken.

Stodel said: “We’re on quite a lot of food at the moment trying to get weight on and keep it on.

“Just because Sonar is a big boat and we are one of the lightest crews by quite a bit.”

When not on the water Stodel said the team liked to relax with DVDs or with trips to the cinema.

She said: “At the moment John and I are watching Alias. We’re nearly through a whole season.”

Stodel also takes Bertie, the team’s carer dog, for lots of walks on Portland which she now calls home.

She said: “I love Portland it’s so random. Every time I go out walking or running or whatever I find something different. I love it – it’s a brilliant place and the people are so supportive.”

Stodel said her message to everyone would be to come along and support the team during the Games.

She said: “We are on the door step, we’re right here and it’s free.”

All you need to know about Hannah

Name: Hannah Stodel

Date of birth: August 27, 1985

Star sign: Virgo

Place of birth: Colchester

Current home town: Portland

Nickname: H or Pottamos

Biggest influence in your career to date: My mum

My worst moment (sailing): Losing in Beijing

My best moment (sailing): Deciding to campaign again – third time lucky

If you weren’t a professional sailor what else would you be? Bored out of my mind!

How do you progress from a club sailor to an Olympic-class sailor? Perseverance, determination and above all belief in yourself

What are your greatest passions outside of sailing? Horse riding and reading

Any heroes? Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston

Worst habit? My cleaning obsession

Do you have any lucky charms or rituals? Loads -– four leaf clover, lucky coin, etc

What’s your greatest fear or phobia? Drowning

Name three things that are always in your shopping trolley? Milk, Dairylea and chocolate

What makes you angry? Untidy disorganised people