Sebastian Kempe was forced to end his campaign early after suffering an injury at the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship in Adelaide, Australia.

The 18-year-old sailor suffered a concussion on the racecourse and had to withdraw from the regatta

“I had an accident on the course causing a concussion and sadly was forced to withdraw from the event,” Kempe told The Royal Gazette.

“We had a disappointing start to the event and even though I was able to fight back on day two, day three was not my best.”

The former ILCA 6 youth world champion did not compete in the final race at the regatta, in which he ultimately placed 40th in the silver fleet and 92nd out of the 152-boat fleet.

Kempe now hopes to make a speedy recovery ahead of the final Olympic country qualifier for the island’s men’s ILCA 7 sailors in Semaine Olympique Française in Hyères in April.

“Right now I am looking forward to getting back into training as soon as I can because this race for Olympic spots is not over,” he added.

“I believe that in April when the final qualifier comes around, if I am sailing my best I can send Bermuda to the Olympics.”

Kempe was accompanied in Adelaide by compatriots Campbell Patton and Benn Smith.

Patton also competed in the silver fleet, in which he finished ten places above Kempe in 30th and 82nd overall, while Smith finished 32nd in the bronze fleet and 135th overall.

Bermuda’s contingent fell short of their primary objective of securing an Olympic spot for the island at the event, which were dashed earlier this week after failing to qualify for the gold fleet.

Spaniard Joaquin Blanco Albalat and St Lucia’s Luc Chevrier topped the silver and bronze fleets.

Australian Matt Wearn claimed overall honours to successfully defend his ILCA 7 world title.

The Olympic champion came from behind to win the championship by ten points over nearest rival Hermann Tomasgaard of Norway, with England’s Michael Beckett securing the bronze medal to round off the podium finishers.