Kiwi Brad As Tough As Nails - Volvo Ocean Race Update

Groupama bowman Brad Marsh needed five staples in his wrist, as well as treatment for shock, after accidentally plunging a knife in his wrist in the immediate aftermath of the team's dismasting on Leg 5.

Photo: Yann Riou/Groupama Sailing Team/Volvo Ocean Race

Marsh revealed the extent of his injury for the first time in a video from the boat, released after the team - with a recovered Marsh on board - resumed racing under jury rig on their way to the finish line in Itajaí.

"I had to climb up what was remaining of the mast and cut away the mainsail," the New Zealand sailor explained. "In the process of cutting away the mainsail i managed to cut my wrist.

"As I had my arms around the mast, the knife had gone into the wrist and I had to pull the knife back out. I knew it was quite deep into the wrist and you could see it was long. I was very, very nervous and when I returned to the deck apparently I was as white as a ghost."

Martin Krite and Martin Stromberg, two of Groupama's on board medics, took him below deck to treat him.

"When Brad came down the rig we realised something was wrong," said Krite. "There was quite a bit of blood coming down from the rig and we could see from Brad's eyes that he was in shock.

"After talking to our team doctor we decided to staple him together. We rook out the staple gun and put five staples in him and now he's as good as new, I think."

Groupama are on course to finish Leg 5 and collect 20 points for third place on Tuesday.

Volvo Ocean Race Media