Teenage sailing star Tess Lloyd is making excellent progress in hospital after fears she may have suffered permanent brain damage during a crash at the national youth sailing championships off Brisbane.
Lloyd, 16, one of the nation's brightest young sailing prospects, was skippering a two-man 29er skiff on January 10 when a sailboarder hit her vessel, knocking her unconscious.
The Melbourne-based sailor was rushed to hospital in an induced coma, with swelling around the brain and fluid on her lungs.
Lloyd is now fully awake, speaking well and performing physical tasks.
"Tess's family and friends have reported that she is showing all of those 'Tess' traits that they would expect: a lovely smile, warm and friendly nature and a sense of humour," Yachting Australia said on Monday.
Lloyd is still suffering from some short-term memory loss.
"Tess's memory continues to improve, along with her speech, which is now generally very coherent.
"While some words don't quite work yet, every day means that there are fewer that don't," Yachting Australia said.
She is likely to remain at Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital for further rehabilitation.
Lloyd's family have been inundated with message of support and her hospital room is filled with photographs, balloons, flowers and posters.
She was leading her final race at the youth championships when the accident happened.
The sailboarding and 29er fleets were both racing on the same course.
Front page
RSS Feed