Coach Boat Accident

The priority given to coaching at Olympic-level events (or even some junior events) is evidenced by how many RIBS are now seen at these events. The entourage-factor is alive and well, and the logistics of dealing not only with the competitors and their gear, but now also with the extra support people and their boats/ trailers, has likely stretched most event organizers.

There are other problems with this new reality, as was relayed by American Anna Tunnicliffe, who commented on a RIB-related accident that occurred in her Laser Radial fleet last week at the 38 Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia – Mapfre in Palma de Mallorca, Spain:

“I want to send my best wishes to Poland’s Katarzyna Szotynska for a fast and speedy recovery from her accident half way through the (Palma) regatta. Katarzyna spent four days in hospital after her hand was jammed between two Lasers while towing. Two coach boats sped past either side of a line of towed Lasers and their wash flung the Lasers together trapping and injuring Katarzyna’s hand. It should never have happened and it’s a very important lesson for all coaches and support boats to control their wakes and stay clear of towed boats.”

It was August 2002 in Greece when the United States' top female boardsailor, Kimberly Birkenfeld, suffered severe brain and spinal injuries when she was run over by a coach boat. Szotynska, who is a 3-time Laser Radial Womens World Champion, was injured after the second race in Palma, and God knows how many other folks have been injured or otherwise affected in the years in between. Hmm…maybe change is not always a good thing.