Injured French sailor Manon Audinet says all athletes know the risks they face when taking to the SailGP starting line, after spending a week in hospital following a crash in Auckland.
Audinet was one of two sailors taken to Auckland City Hospital after the French team crashed with New Zealand Black Foils in the third race of the weekend on February 14. Kiwi grinder Louis Sinclair was also hospitalised with leg injuries.
Audinet, the strategist on the French boat, was the only member of her crew in the port hull when it collided with the Black Foils’ starboard hull, and was thrown in her cockpit with enough force to break the steering wheel. She was hospitalised with concern over internal injuries particularly in the abdominal area. She also suffered a hand injury, which was said to be minor.
The 34-year-old was discharged from hospital on Friday, and on Tuesday addressed the incident in a post on Instagram.
“We all know the risks when we sail these machines. And that’s exactly what makes it so special – and so addictive. We constantly push the limits, making sure we never cross the line,” Audinet said.
“In Auckland, the stars didn’t quite align. But I was incredibly lucky to be taken care of immediately – from the boat to the ambulance, and then closely monitored for a week at Auckland Hospital. I was surrounded by amazing medical teams every step of the way.”
Audinet thanked the SailGP medical team and hospital staff for their responsiveness and care, as well as her partner Jason Saunders, the Kiwi flight controller on the French boat, and other family members for how they handled the situation.
“Thank you as well to everyone who sent messages – your support truly means a lot. Can’t wait to be back on the water very soon.”
Exactly how soon remains to be seen, with the French team’s F50 foiling catamaran needing to be repaired after the crash.
With the Black Foils deemed to be in the wrong for the collision, getting the French back on the starting line is the league’s priority. That has led to the port hull being taken from the New Zealand F50 to replace the damaged hull on France’s boat.
Because SailGP race in a one-design fleet, parts can be taken from one boat and put on to another.
Both teams were ruled out of this weekend’s event in Sydney, though it is hoped the French would be able to return in time for April’s regatta in Rio de Janeiro. Audinet has been cleared to return for that event should the French boat be ready.
For the New Zealanders, however, the expectation is that the inaugural Brazil regatta will be too tight a timeline to get back into action.
Addressing the situation on Thursday morning, Black Foils driver Peter Burling was unsure when the New Zealanders would be back on the water.
“I think the most important thing is... we’re looking after our people, making sure Louis has got the best possible care and we’re incredibly thankful also he’s got a lot of family around him here that have been coming in from where they live around the world as well and really looking after the wider team through this tough time.
“Everyone processes these things differently so it’s an ongoing kind of process of making sure we support not only the athletes on the water but the wider whānau.
“We’re definitely not going to be in Sydney and we’re building a plan going forward.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.