Abstract
Yachting is dangerous sport due to weather conditions. But, before this study, no data was available in the medical literature on yachting injuries. We undertook this study to analyze the yachting injury mechanism and to make inquires about this prevention. The players were asked about the details of yachting injuries they had experienced, in a questionnaire. 114 players (40.6%) out of 281 responded to the questionnaire. 35 players had experienced at least one injury (30.7%). Injury incidence of 470 class (66.7%) was significantly higher of other class; snipe38%, sea hopper 23%, FJ 22% (P< 0.05). Heads and faces were involved in 30.8% of the injuries, and upper and lower extremities in 26.8%. 44% of injury mechanism is attributed to free running injuries, which occurred during a Gybing or wild Gybing predominantly. The boom was part of the yacht which most commonly caused injury, followed by the sheet, side stay, spinnaker pole. We concluded that advancement of performance level, protection equipment, and proper judgement about weather conditions were necessary to prevent these yachting injuries.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor Jegan Krishnan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park 5047, Australia.
