New Zealander Warwick Fleury is an America’s Cup veteran with eight campaigns under his belt. Last year, during the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, became seriously ill while racing on Cannonball.
Welcome back to Porto Cervo Warwick. What exactly happened to you during the last edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup?
Warwick: It was an aortic dissection, that was the medical term. We didn't know what it was at the time. It took several hours to diagnose, but once they did in Olbia, it was straight to Sassari for a major eight-hour operation. They did an amazing job and basically saved my life.
Do you believe that the real victory is being here in Porto Cervo one year later and sailing on the same boat?
Warwick: I think so, yes! At the time, I was just lucky, just happy to still be around. Coming back to Sardinia in a year's time was not even in my thoughts at all.
When did the opportunity to come back materialise?
Warwick: Well, I made it back to New Zealand at the end of October last year. I spent some time recovering here and some time in the US because it was too far for me to fly all the way to New Zealand, so we stopped in the US for about four weeks. I made it home and then spent the summer at home recovering. In about March, I was asked by the Cannonball team if I felt well enough to sail, and I felt that I was. I wasn't 100% sure, but we had some training in Valencia in March, and I got through that and felt fine. So I made the decision to carry on with the season, and Sardinia was a part of the programme, so I was able to make it back here.