Racing had finish for the SolentXtra Team at Cork week on a final day in very big seas to the ESE of Crosshaven. Martin, the senior mark layer, was just checking on one of the competitors when his RIB fell off a big wave - the result was a fracture of his calcaneum (heel bone). The usual way to fracture this bone is to fall from a ladder onto your heels, so the RIB must have dropped from quite a height.
Apart from the pain, the real suffering comes from the fact that Martin will not be able to work on the water at the Olympics. This is devastating for both Martin and the SolentXtra team. Mark Layers of the quality of Martin are few and far between. His skill on the race course in Weymouth will be sorely missed.
Martin emerges from the A&E Department in Cork University Hospital
being pushed by Rob
LOCOG have been massively supportive and asked Martin to work on 'Bridge' at the Games and he will be staying with the rest of the team at the Riviera Hotel. He will remain as the senior mark layer in an executive role.
Get well soon, Martin. We need you!
