From the deafening silence of the exam hall to the whistling roar of a stiff Solent gale, it was quite a weekend for Athens-bound Hannah Stodel.

After taking her A-Level in Information Technology, the 18-year-old West Mersea Paralympic hopeful dashed down to the Isle of Wight to compete in the Round the Island Race.

She joined Great Britain team-mate Stephen Thomas and a selection of politicians, including North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin, aboard Chernikeeff II/Skandia.

The crew had a dual aim in mind - getting round the 55-mile course first and raising funds for the British Paralympic Association.

In testing conditions, Chernikeeff II/Skandia come home fourth in her class in a time of just over five hours but still raised £55,000 for the Games fund.

"It was pretty wet and windy but great fun much better than exams," joked Stodel.

"I've competed in the race twice before but not on a boat like this. We were very happy with the result."

But with the Games just 80 days away, Stodel only has one regatta in her mind.

"I'm confident we will do well in Athens," she added. "If you look at the training and the performances we've been putting in, we should really be looking to be in the medal zone considering we got the bronze at the last worlds.

"We're flying out to Athens for a month in the next few days and we're coming back just before the Olympics start."

Published Tuesday June 29, 2004

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