SailSportMed is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advancement of the knowledge of sports medicine in sailing.  Sailing and sports medicine are an unlikely combination for those whose idea of sailing is a relaxing wine and cheese sunset cruise.  For the highly competitive sailboat racer, however, sports injuries are a part of life.  Whether sailing on an America's Cup yacht, on an Olympic class dinghy, or in a local regatta, the sailor is susceptible to many different types of sports-related injuries.

There has been very little research done to date regarding injuries specific to the sport of sailing compared to other sports. For this reason, studies were undertaken to document the sports specific injuries that occurred to the athletes participating in the America's Cup in both 1995 and in 2000.  The intent is to aid the sports medicine clinician in appropriate diagnosis and treatment of sailing specific injuries, and to assist the sailing athlete in prevention of such injuries.

Continuing this research in the 2003 America's Cup and beyond, in order to better educate the sailing community, is the primary focus of SailSportMed.