Good signs for SailGP’s Jensen after injury comeback
Jasper Bruce |
Iain Jensen’s troublesome knee made it through the first day of the Sydney SailGP unscathed, and a technical change to Australia’s boat should prevent his injury from happening again.
Two days before the season-opening Perth regatta last month, Australia’s star off-season signing was struck down by a knee injury that jeopardised his hopes of lining up in the season’s only other event on home waters.
But after missing Australia’s win at the Auckland SailGP last month, the Olympic gold medallist returned quicker than expected to help the Flying Roos take out two of four fleet races on the opening day in Sydney.
“I’ve been dying to get out there and get some racing in with these guys. I’m super happy to be doing that now,” Jensen told AAP.
Australia sits second on the leaderboard with three fleet races to go on Sunday, having so far made a good fist of challenging easterly conditions on Sydney Harbour.
Finish in the top three on the event standings and Australia will contest the event final for a chance to win a first regatta on home waters since the Sydney SailGP in 2024.
To help their cause, Jensen’s knee felt fine immediately after racing on Saturday.
“It’s pulled up all right. No real dramas there,” said Jensen, a former member of the Great Britain boat that won last season’s grand final.
“I’ve been doing a lot of rehab, I’ve been working with a pretty good physio and sports physician. They’ve given me a lot of good advice.”
The wing trimmer injured his left knee when his foot became caught between the catamaran’s trampoline and the pod in the centre of the boat during a practice session on Fremantle Harbour.
“There was a little gap there. It’s now been filled,” Jensen said.
“The little hole I fell through doesn’t exist anymore so hopefully from here on out, we’re in good shape.”
Jensen tipped starting well as key to Australia’s hopes of keeping in touch with a spot in the event final in Sydney.
The Aussies fell off their foils during Saturday’s second race and were penalised for starting too early in the third. It allowed Spain to win both and storm atop the event leaderboard.
“It seems to me like we’re moving through the fleet well, we just need to get off the starting line well,” Jensen said.
“If we do that, I definitely think we can get a few more race wins.”
AAP