Bernard Labro Injured

Bernard Labro Injured

AUCKLAND - February 12, 2003 - French bowman Bernard Labro sustained a broken clavicle in a traffic accident. He will not be onboard SUI 64 for the 31st America's Cup, which begins February 15 in New Zealand.

On February 11, at approximately 15:00, Bernard was driving his motor scooter on a busy Auckland street. A bus traveling in the right lane failed to indicate before making a sudden left hand turn. In order to avoid hitting the bus head on, Bernard was forced to break hard and Bernard jumped free of the scooter. He hit the pavement, breaking his left clavicle. He sustained no other injuries.

Dr. Lucy Holzhausen, the Team Alinghi medic and Xavier Jolis, the Team Alinghi physiotherapist, accompanied Bernard to Auckland Hospital. The prognosis calls for conservative treatment and doctors expect the bone will mend completely after 6 weeks. Bernard will not sail until then, and his left arm is immobilized in a sling, but doctors granted permission to resume moderate activity within 3 weeks. For the America's Cup competition, Bernard will carry on his integral onshore role with Team Alinghi, contributing his expertise to the rig, mast, and clothing departments.

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CREW QUOTE

BERNARD LABRO - BOWMAN : "A broken clavicle is not a very major injury, but it is disappointing to be injured right before the America's Cup, but there is nothing I can do. I will carry on pushing in certain areas where I can. This is my fourth America's Cup, and I hope the next one will be better."

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

January 2003 : Winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup on ALINGHI 1992, 1995, 2000 Crew for Swiss Louis Vuitton Cup challenger, bowman, mid bow 1997,1998, 1999 International match racing circuit, with Jochen Schuemann 1997,1998, 1999 Corel 45 World championship, with Flavio Favini 1995,1997,1998 Tour de France à la Voile 1997 Round Europe Race, Multi 60' 1996 Whitbread Around the World, "Innovation Kvaerner"

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