Latest Blog
World Sailing Championship
In December of last year two of Sportreats physiotherapists joined the volunteer team at the World Sailing Championship in Perth. The event took place over 2 weeks and had many teams from all over the world attend.
Our Senior Physiotherapist Robyn Bailey shares her experience with you about the World Sailing Championship.
A note about ISAF from Robyn Bailey:
Tyson Grover and I were involved in the ISAF World Championship sailing competition in Fremantle in December of last year. We were Voluntary Physiotherapist’s in the Athletes Village.
After accreditation, uniforms and numerous liaison meetings it was an excellent experience, and we treated many sailors from all different types of World Class Yachts over the 2 week championships.
The rosters were three to four hourly in the morning and late afternoon to tie in around when the sailing was taking place. There were over 78 countries involved in the competition and our own Australian, Tom Slingsby, not only won his section in the 470 class of yacht but also took out sailor of the World Championships.
We treated many different nationalities during the course of the Sailing and there was very little difficulty with any language issues at all. Some Windsurfers and Laser Radial classes (Yacht type) were treated from Russia, Croatia, USA, Italy and Belarus.
The Croatians required assistance with setting up an ice bath for their athletes and they came into Sportreat to acknowledge a huge “Thankyou” to us at the end of the series. This included the Team Sports Doctor, Physiotherapist and Conditioning Coach.
They were very impressed with Sportreat indeed. We saw the team Physiotherapist’s from the USA and New Zealand and how they had their program set up at their team accommodation, so Sailor’s could be treated immediately after coming off the water. Both these teams utilised our local knowledge and assistance on numerous occasions in regards to Physiotherapy and Medical assistance.
We were very busy at each shift with treatment of many different injuries. One of the main issues being Lumbar spine problems caused from the continual extension on the trapeze and ankle/shin injuries with the feet in the ropes.
As they were mainly light conditions during the Competition there were quite a few muscular type injuries to deal with as well and taping for the daily Sailing. Some of the athletes were in the water for very long lengths of time and so they are very fit and have a good aerobic capacity.
Overall the competition was great to be part of as a Physiotherapist and we look forward to possibly being part of the next World Championships in Spain 2014!!!
Robyn Bailey and Tyson Grover
Sports Physiotherapist and Physiotherapist
Member: Australian physiotherapist Association.
That’s it from our ISAF Sailing blog, we hope you have enjoyed reading it, and stay tuned for our next one.
If you have any topics that you would like to see covered in future blogs, please email Mel.marsh@sportreat.com.au
Mel Marsh
