Paul Campbell-James possible to race at France Sail Grand Prix just three weeks after fracturing leg
by United States SailGP Team 10 Sep 2021 08:52 BST
11-12 September 2021
USA SailGP Team helmed by Jimmy Spithill in action during the Practice Fleet Races at Denmark SailGP, Event 4, Season 2 in Aarhus, Denmark © Thomas Lovelock/SailGP
Just 21 days after fracturing his leg at the ROCKWOOL Denmark Sail Grand Prix, United States SailGP Team Wing Trimmer Paul Campbell-James has arrived in Saint-Tropez to be evaluated for racing in this weekend's France Sail Grand Prix.
The team today released this time-lapse video tracking Campbell-James incredible recovery that included surgery and an aggressive rehabilitation program in the past three weeks. The medical team plans to evaluate Campbell-James on Friday.
The team has also flown in Interim-Wing Trimmer Jason Saunders, who replaced Campbell-James in Denmark, in a backup capacity should Campbell-James not be cleared.
Campbell-James' expedited recovery process was coordinated by orthopedic specialists in the United Kingdom who advised him on the best course of treatment after a thorough analysis of the injury that included MRIs and multiple consults.
"The determination and resolve Paul's shown these past few weeks to recover has been incredible and is a real motivator for our team," said U.S. SailGP Team Driver Jimmy Spithill. "So far this season, our team has faced more adversity than any other team in the championship but we continue to fight back and climb the standings. We'll certainly wait to see what we learn from Paul's evaluation tomorrow and will plan accordingly how we approach racing this weekend."
The U.S. SailGP Team today also announced interim changes elsewhere on its roster with Taylor Canfield substituting for Pilot Rome Kirby, who is absent due to standing personal commitments, as well as with athlete Daniela Moroz who will be competing at the 2021 Formula Kite European Championships.
Despite the misfortune that has plagued the American team throughout the course of the season - including an unsolicited collision and resulting capsize in Bermuda and an underwater collision in Italy - the team remains poised in fourth place in the overall standings, after finishing just one point shy of the event podium final in Denmark.
The France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez will air live this Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12 at 7:30am EDT on SailGP's YouTube channel and the SailGP APP. Delayed full broadcast coverage of both days will air Sunday, September 12 on CBS Sports at 5:30pm (Race Day 1) and 10:00pm EDT (Race Day 2).