Sophie Weguelin insists she will still be working hard to make Rio 2016 despite the disappointment of being ruled out of sailing for the next six months on medical grounds.
The world number-five ranked sailor had her eyes set on competing in the women’s 470 event with Eilidh McIntyre at the upcoming ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander.
However she was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis following the flight home from the Aquece Rio International Regatta last month, and has since been undergoing treatment.
And in order to ensure she makes a full recovery, with no adverse effects to her health, she has been advised by the medical team not to sail for six months.
It not only rules her out of the Santander World Championship, but also November’s World Cup Grand Final in Abu Dhabi and the Miami World Cup Miami in January.
McIntyre will instead sail alongside two-time Olympian Christina Bassadone as a temporary measure for the World Championships.
Although Weguelin insisted she and McIntyre would be working hard off the water to continue their Olympic progress.
“It’s massively frustrating to be missing the World Championships with Eilidh, which we have been hard working towards all season, but obviously I have to take the advice of the medical team and not take unnecessary risks which could have serious consequences,” she said.
“There’s always plenty to be done off the water as well as on it in an Olympic sailing campaign, so Eilidh and I will still be working hard over the winter in all those areas, ready for when I can go on the water again.
“It’s a setback for sure, but I think setbacks ultimately make you stronger.”
© Sportsbeat 2014