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1:11 AM Fri 8 May 2009 GMT
 | | 'After being evacuated from the boat at the start of Leg 6 having sustained an injury to his ankle, Telefonica Black's bowman Mike Pammenter awaits the results of tests which may determine his fitness to participate in the next Leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09.'
Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race © |
Telefonica Black skipper Fernando Echavarri has confirmed Michael Pammenter will not be fit to sail the Boston in-port race on Saturday.
The South African bowman was evacuated from the boat just hours into leg six after his foot became entangled in the genoa sheet, which then flicked him into the mast and left him unable to continue.
It was initially thought he had fractured his ankle, but test results have since shown no break and the 26-year-old now hopes to be back onboard for the leg seven start on May 16.
'He is not going to make the inshore because the doctors and medical team think an extra week of recovery will have exponential benefits,' said Echavarri. 'He is recovering very well, looking much better and we think he is 95% likely to make the next leg.'
It has been a smooth recovery for Pammenter, who sustained the injury as the fleet left Rio de Janeiro on April 11. He had been using crutches as recently as last week, but after a month of X-Rays, ultrasound tests and an MRI scan proved the injury was a 'a massive hematoma', he has been reassured that the damage is not too serious.
'When we went for the first scan we suspected it was fractured,' he said. 'I had already had two X-Rays and an ultrasound, once in Brazil and once at home (in South Africa), so we had a basic idea that everything was good. I went for an MRI scan last week to make sure everything was as we thought and the scan was very good.
'It just turned out to be a massive haematoma and no extensive damage to the ligaments so it's looking good.'
American Star sailor Brad Nichol will fill the void in the team on Saturday, while a decision on Pammenter's return will be made next Wednesday or Thursday.
'Next week on Wednesday I am going sailing and we will make the call depending on how the sailing goes,' Pammenter added. 'I am really keen to get out there, but I realise it's not only my decision but also the doctor's and the team.
'The last thing I want to do is let the guys down one or two days into a leg. We just need to be very careful and make sure I am 100% ready to go. I'm doing physio every day and we are regularly monitoring the progress.
'I really want to get back on the boat.'
by Volvo Ocean Race
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