Franck Cammas, the Groupama Team France skipper, has made considerable progress from a serious foot injury and could be back on the water sailing before the end of next month.

The distinguished offshore sailor and multihull specialist has been in rehabilitation since nearly losing his right foot while training for the 35th America’s Cup in France last November.

Cammas fell overboard while sparring with seasoned King Edward VII Gold Cup campaigner Adam Minoprio in one of Team France’s foiling GC32 catamarans and was hit by the rudder at full speed, leaving his right foot partially severed.

After an operation, doctors told Cammas that he would not lose the use of his right foot, and that the arteries and nerves had not been impacted.

The multiple offshore speed record holder and former Volvo Ocean Race winner resumed training in the gym after having his cast removed last week.

“Now I can spend more time onshore working with the designers and engineers on the new boat,” Cammas said.

New Zealander Minoprio, the youngest skipper to win the World Match Racing Tour, is a possible replacement for Cammas, if necessary, and is expected to be at the helm of Team France’s AC45F at next month’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series race in Oman.

Team France are at the bottom of the World Series standings.

The event is the first stage of competition for the America’s Cup to be held in Bermuda in 2017.

Featuring all of the America’s Cup teams, the series is an opportunity to earn points that will count towards the America’s Cup qualifiers and play-offs, which will determine who competes against defender Oracle Team USA.

Emirates Team New Zealand are the World Series leaders.

The World Series circuit will resume in Oman on February 27 and 28.