Campbell Patton’s impressive display at the Australian Youth Championships came at a cost as he picked up an injury during the opening race of the regatta which finished yesterday.

The promising sailor suffered a concussion in a collision but was able to continue racing after receiving hospital treatment. He placed eighth among the 37-strong Laser Radial fleet.

“I got a concussion from a collision in the first race,” said Patton, who was in third at the time of the incident. “It set me back a bit for the regatta after a visit to the hospital.

“Near the top mark, on the final upwind, another boat hit my rudder from behind and caused me to capsize and smash my head.

“I think it was the boom, but I couldn’t remember. It was sketchy and I didn’t realise I was hurt that bad until blood came out of my mouth.”

The 17-year-old went on to finish seventh in the opening race and a regatta best third in the second before going to the hospital for treatment.

“My aim for top three wasn’t achieved, but it was a good learning event with some great competition,” Patton added.

“The fleet was very strong at the top.”

Australian Zac Littlewood won eight of the ten races to win the regatta.

Patton, the son of multiple Bermuda Etchells champion Tim Patton, went into the regatta fresh off an impressive showing at the recent Oceania and Australian Laser Championships also held in Tasmania.

He placed fifth in his division and fifteenth among the 69-strong fleet, with five top-ten finishes.

“I’ve improved a lot over open and youth nationals and I’ll be looking to do some work in the standard rig while still keeping my weight down,” he added.

“My goal for this year is success in the radial youth worlds granted I qualify.”

The Laser Radial Youth World Championship will be held in Ontario, Canada, from July 24 to 31.