Alexandra joined Niki Birrell in the two-person SKUD to campaign for Beijing selection. With the Paralympic selection process comprising a series of trial events, the pair finished fifth in their first ever competitive outing together at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in January before bronze at the March’s US Disabled Open Midwinters earned them the China nod. This is also the SKUD’s Paralympic debut.
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Name: |
Alexandra Rickham |
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Class: |
Skud 18 |
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Position: |
Crew |
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DOB: |
11 September 1981 |
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Born: |
Kingston, Jamaica |
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Currently Living: |
Epsom, Surrey |
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Occupation: |
Environmental scientist |
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Started Sailing: |
Following a diving accident in 1995, I first sailed on a day out while rehabbing in Miami. However didn’t start taking the sport seriously until studying at Imperial College, London 10 years later. |
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Duration in current class: |
Started sailing with Niki Birrell in November 2007 but had earlier spent eight months training to helm in the new SKUD class while studying. |
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Name of Sailing Partner: |
Niki Birrell |
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Coach: |
Harvey Hillary |
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Greatest Strengths in Sailing: |
Keeping calm |
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Greatest Weakness in Sailing: |
Racing experience |
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Biggest Goal: |
Gold medal |
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Who has been the most influential person in your sailing career: |
Niki Birrell! |
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Other interests away from sailing: |
Skiing, cooking travelling |
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Personal sponsors: |
Little Britain Challenge Cup |
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Sailing Career to date: |
2008 IFDS Qingdao International Regatta Gold
2008 US Disabled-Open Midwinters Bronze
2008 Rolex Miami OCR 5th
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Meet the sailor… |
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Who is Alex Rickham? |
A tetraplegic athlete, Alex became disabled as a result of a shallow diving accident. She says qualifying for Beijing 2008 is her greatest sporting achievement and her aims for the Games are to win, “Gold, gold and something shiny that isn’t silver or bronze!”
She believes she and Niki’s toughest competition will come from the team from the USA although says anyone on the water is a rival.
Niki accidentally weeing on her feet during the 2008 Miami OCR is among her more embarrassing moments while sailing but she insists, with tongue somewhat in cheek, that Niki is her sporting hero! If not him then the Jamaican Bobsled team. |