Ocean race sailor Rosalin Kuiper has suffered head injuries after falling from her bunk. The accident of the 26-year-old from Boris Herrmann’s crew happened on Sunday around 400 nautical miles west of Cape Horn in the South Pacific. The sleeping Dutchwoman was catapulted out of the bunk in an unexpectedly violent movement of the ship. The Malizia team informed this on Monday night.
When she fell, Rosalin Kuiper hit her head so unhappily that she suffered a concussion, a laceration above her right eyebrow that initially bled profusely, and bruises. Team Malizia’s skipper Herrmann coordinated diagnosis and treatment with ocean race doctor Spike Briggs from MSOS (Medical Support Offshore Ltd.). Co-skipper Will Harris and on-board reporter Antoine Auriol had provided first aid.
The crew struggles to keep Rosalin Kuiper as calm as possible in the rough seas. “We’re doing what we can to keep the boat stable, but the conditions are incredibly tough. Rosie is really brave and trying to rest,” said co-skipper Will Harris. Team Malizia had described the continuation of the race as the “best option” in view of the remote position of the boat. According to the first statement, the sailor was “on the mend”. Rosalin Kuiper said: “I look like pirate Rosie now.” The guys take very good care of me.”
Team Malizia continued to lead the Ocean Race fleet on day 29 of the Queen’s Stage from Cape Town to Itajaí in Brazil 100 nautical miles from the Cape Horn Passage. On Monday morning, the Herrmann crew successfully defended a lead of around 30 nautical miles over the Swiss “Holcim-PRB”, which was the leader in the overall classification. “We have to win every mile that we can get,” Harris had set the motto. The still tight field of four ocean race boats is expected around April 1st in Itajaì
