CAMPER Announce Crew Change for Leg 7 Due to Injury

Emirates Team New Zealand Media Update: CAMPER Announce Crew Change for Leg 7 Due to Injury

11 May 2012

CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand today announced a crew change ahead of Leg 7.  Bowman Mike Pammenter will step down for the leg due to a prolapsed disc in his back.  Mike sustained the injury during the sixth leg from Itajai to Miami. Reserve crew member Nick Burridge will move into the role for the transatlantic leg from Miami to Lisbon starting on May 20th. 

CAMPER skipper Chris Nicholson says that the decision to rest Mike for the leg was made after a full medical assessment.

“Our team physio Paul Wilson has carried out a full assessment of Mike, and as with any injury of this nature the biggest issue can be time, so we are keen to make sure he has the opprotunity to rest and recover so that he can rejoin the team as soon as possible.  

“While Mike is obviously disappointed to miss this leg it will be a great opportunity for Nick.  As our reserve crew member, Nick has been with the sailing team since day one.  While his day to day duties are within the rigging area on the shore side, he still joins us at every fitness session and for training on the water so he is very much a part of the team and we look forward to having him out there.”

Emirates Team New Zealand Physiotherapist and Medical Advisor  Paul Wilson, “Due to the amount of heavy lifting onboard, lower back injuries are common in this sport. I am confident that with effective treatment and rest he will make a full recovery, but it is important he has a few weeks on land to allow the disc to heal. We hope to see him back onboard CAMPER in Lisbon for the remainder of the race.”

ENDS

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