Weymouth kitesurfer Connor Bainbridge is aiming for a gold medal in Paris, but his Olympic dream was nearly shattered by a freak training accident.
“I was doing some training races and I was just pushing a bit too hard into the wind,” he told BBC Radio Solent.
“I came off the board and did a somersault with the foil going right through my leg.
“My doctor said we were three centimeters away from possibly not being able to compete in the Olympics. Luckily, I only missed the world championships.”
Kitesurfing will make its Olympic debut this summer with sailing competitions taking place on the southern coast of France, in Marseille.
“I love this sport. It’s just incredible,” Bainbridge, 30, added.
“Having it on that world stage for the first time at the Olympics is a showcase. It looks phenomenal and hopefully it will give our sport a boost.”
Bainbridge, from Halifax, West Yorkshire, only qualified for the Games in April with a win at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyères, France. She had previously failed to qualify for the World and European Championships.
“Looking back on it now, I agree with my coach who said it would only be good in the long run, but at the time it was difficult,” Bainbridge said.
“We took a step back and reevaluated everything we did during my campaign, which was great because I wouldn’t be where I am today if that hadn’t happened.
“The goal is now clear for the Olympics: I hope it will be gold. That is what we have been working towards and striving for all winter.”
