Nathan Outteridge will miss today's practice racing at the Spain Sail Grand Prix | Valencia after picking up a minor ankle injury in training on Thursday.
The Artemis SailGP Team driver was seen around the event site on Friday morning wearing a compression boot on his left foot. He is understood to be resting up ahead of Saturday's opening races.
Artemis confirmed the Olympic gold medallist would sit out the practice session as a precaution, with reserve driver John Gimson stepping in alongside the team in his place.
"Nathan Outteridge sustained a minor ankle injury during training yesterday. As a precaution, he will sit out of today's practice racing to allow time to rest and recover ahead of Race Day 1 in Valencia," the team said in a statement issued Friday.
"Olympic silver medallist sailor John Gimson will step in for today's practice racing alongside the team."
Gimson brings plenty of pedigree to the role. The Olympic silver medallist is also a three-time Nacra 17 world champion, experience he carries straight into the Artemis F50 cockpit.
Today's session gives Artemis a chance to fine-tune their set-up before racing begins in earnest. Outteridge, meanwhile, will be doing everything he can to be fit for Saturday.
Artemis arrive in Valencia sitting third in the season standings, seven points clear of fourth-placed Emirates GBR. With just four events left in the 2026 season, this regatta could go a long way towards deciding whether the team, in their debut SailGP campaign, make the three-boat Grand Final.
