In the aftermath of a high-speed crash in Auckland, Leigh McMillan knew what his priorities were.
The wing trimmer for the French SailGP team knew he was injured in the collision with New Zealand’s Black Foils, but was also aware that there were other sailors requiring more immediate attention.
Two sailors were transported to Auckland City Hospital, with Black Foils grinder Louis Sinclair suffering compound fractures in both legs – needing surgery to repair the right – and French strategist Manon Audinet being kept for observation due to concerns of internal injuries. Audinet, who also suffered a hand injury, was in hospital for five nights, while Sinclair was discharged a day earlier.
“It all happened very quickly. The whole thing was over in an absolute flash. It was really just a split-second moment; it was just brace for impact, really,” McMillan recalled.
“I knew that I was all right straight away. Like, I hit the deck pretty hard and I could feel that I’d wiped out a load of the control systems on the inside of the boat with my knee. Honestly, my situation seemed completely manageable. There were some serious injuries at play and that was the absolute priority at that point, to make sure they were getting the best possible care.”
On his own injuries, McMillan was sure he had torn something in his shoulder during the crash.
It wasn’t until he went and had it examined by a shoulder specialist that he was made aware of just how badly his shoulder had been damaged.
McMillan had torn his supraspinatus muscle and scapularis tendon – parts of the rotator cuff – in his left shoulder and required surgery.
“They completely detached from the bone,” he said.
McMillan noted that he and the medical professionals were happy with how surgery had gone, but he now faced a lengthy recovery period.
After missing the regatta in Sydney, France are slated to return in Rio de Janeiro next month after salvageable parts of the New Zealand F50 foiling catamaran were used to repair the French boat.
Because SailGP race in a one-design fleet, they are able to move parts between boats. Because the Black Foils were deemed at fault for the collision, France were given priority in the rebuild, with the Black Foils yet to give a firm timeline for their return.
McMillan will not be available for the Rio regatta, but it is yet to be confirmed who the French will bring in to replace him.
“We haven’t got an exact game plan for what the next month and the events are going to look like,” McMillan said.
“The team’s obviously going through a transitional period looking at what the crew line-up is going to be for the next event. I want to do everything I can to help the team through this transitional period. I’m ready to be involved and help wherever possible.
“I’m just incredibly grateful for the support I’ve had through the medical team at SailGP. Thank you to everyone for getting me to this point so quickly and getting me such great care. It’s awesome to know that I’ve had the best possible surgical outcome.
“The team is super motivated, I’m super motivated to get back to winning ways. I can’t wait to see us out there racing again in Rio and kicking off where we left off in the last race.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.