Shosholoza Crew recuperating after fracturing vertebra while racing in Germany

One of Team Shosholoza's key sailors, Charles Nankin, 28, of Cape Town, is in post operative spinal recovery in a German hospital after he was accidently knocked off the yacht and hit by the rudder while racing in a Grand Prix sailing event in Kiel, Germany, last Sunday. Nankin, had gone forward on yacht Shosholoza RSA 48 to help pull in the spinnaker while rounding a leeward mark when he was hit unexpectedly by the foresail as it came across the bow and flung him overboard.

Charles Nankin in full action during the Trapani Louis Vuitton Acts in 2005. Photo copyright Team Shosholoza

Because the boat was turning he was pushed under water and hit his back against the rudder as the stern swung around. Trapped by the force of the water, his body became wrapped around the rudder but miraculously he found super-human strength to push himself off and surface within 30 seconds. He was immediately picked up by the Shosholoza chase boat and transferred by ambulance to the University of Schleswig-Holsteins, Clinic for Traumatology in Kiel. He underwent a three hour operation, led by director of the clinic, Dr A. Seekamp, on Monday in which titanium was used to stabilise his 2nd veterbra which was fractured in the incident.

He was sitting up and walked briefly on crutches on Thursday and has no other spinal, neck or cerebral injury. He is expected to remain in hospital until 20 August after which he will join the rest of Team Shosholoza at their base in Valencia. Doctors have advised that he will need physiotherapy for three months and should be able to resume normal sports activities after six months.

In addition to being an experienced America's Cup sailor, Charles Nankin frequently races in the Mediterranean TP52 circuit, such as the Castellón Costa Azahar race. He can be seen on this photo on the left hand side, leaning his head down. America's Cup yachts, unlike TP52s, have no guard rails. Photo copyright Ignacio Baixauli