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US Sailing Athlete injured in Athens
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| US Sailing Team - Athens 2002 Regatta - US Sailing Athlete injured in Athens |
| ATHENS-(17-8-2002) US Sailing Team member Kimberly
Birkenfeld (Miami, Fla./Myrtle Creek, Ore.), the number one ranked Women’s
Windsurfer on the 2002 US Sailing Team, was injured 8 August 2002 by a
motorboat propeller in an accident that occurred while she was sailing, in
Glyfada, Greece, in preparation for the Athens 2002 Regatta. She sustained
two injuries: one to the base of her skull, where two bones were pushed in
toward her brain by the propeller; and a severe leg laceration. Birkenfeld
underwent two surgeries immediately after the accident and it appears that
there is no permanent injury.
Along with members of Birkenfeld’s family, US SAILING’s Olympic Sailing
Committee Chairman Fred Hagedorn (Chicago, Ill.), has been in Greece since
shortly after the accident. He reports that “Kimberly has responded to
external stimuli, including the voices of her family. The doctors remain
optimistic, but cautious, and are pleased with some of the signs they have
seen. She will remain in the intensive care unit of the hospital until the
doctors have determined it is possible for her to be transported back to the
U.S.”
The Greek Coast Guard is conducting an investigation into the accident,
which will remain open until they have been able to obtain a statement from
Birkenfeld.
“I know that all the support from the sailing community has been a great
source of comfort to Kimberly’s family,” added Hagedorn. “Our thoughts are
with her and our focus is on her recovery. |
Source: Jan Harley, Media Pro |
