South African bowman Mike Pammenter of CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand has stepped down for Leg 7 due to a prolapsed disc in his back.
Pammenter 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 Sunday, May 20.
“Our team physio Paul Wilson has carried out a full assessment on Mike, as with any injury of this nature the biggest issue can be time, so we are keen to make sure he has the time to rest and recover so that he can rejoin the team as soon as possible," said skipper Chris Nicholson.
“While Mike is obviously disappointed to miss this leg this 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."
A sailor and rigger, Nick Burridge has worked on many of the most successful maxi and mini maxi yachts in the racing world including Alfa Romeo, Investec Loyal and Shockwave.
He has competed in several Sydney Hobart and Fastnet races, as well as six Maxi World Championships. He has been a rigger for Emirates Team New Zealand since 2009.
Like so many New Zealanders, sailing is in Burridge’s blood. Aged 10 he started sailing optimists and now, aged 30, he will race on board a Volvo Open 70 when he replaces injured bowman Mike Pammenter for the Leg 7 race to Lisbon.“I am really excited, but I’m most nervous about the in-port race. I haven’t sailed in this mid-bow position in a racing situation. I really hope we can get a good result, it would set me up really well mentally for the offshore.”
Credit : P.Todd/VOR
Pammenter 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 Sunday, May 20.
“Our team physio Paul Wilson has carried out a full assessment on Mike, as with any injury of this nature the biggest issue can be time, so we are keen to make sure he has the time to rest and recover so that he can rejoin the team as soon as possible," said skipper Chris Nicholson.
“While Mike is obviously disappointed to miss this leg this 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."
A sailor and rigger, Nick Burridge has worked on many of the most successful maxi and mini maxi yachts in the racing world including Alfa Romeo, Investec Loyal and Shockwave.
He has competed in several Sydney Hobart and Fastnet races, as well as six Maxi World Championships. He has been a rigger for Emirates Team New Zealand since 2009.
Like so many New Zealanders, sailing is in Burridge’s blood. Aged 10 he started sailing optimists and now, aged 30, he will race on board a Volvo Open 70 when he replaces injured bowman Mike Pammenter for the Leg 7 race to Lisbon.“I am really excited, but I’m most nervous about the in-port race. I haven’t sailed in this mid-bow position in a racing situation. I really hope we can get a good result, it would set me up really well mentally for the offshore.”
From : Volvo Ocean Race
