Gulari, who was placed seventh at the Rio Olympics, had been training alongside team-mate Helena Scott when he came in contact with the boat's rigging during a capsize in strong wind conditions.

He lost part of three fingers on his right hand.

The 41-year-old is currently recovering in hospital and hopes to return to sailing in the next four weeks. 

“This is an unfortunate setback, but Helena and I will bounce back from this and continue our campaign for Tokyo 2020,” Gulari said.

“I’ll definitely be back on the water as soon as I’m able, which should be in about a month.”

Rio Olympic champion Santiago Lange of Argentina was among those joining Scott in assisting Gulari and sailing the boat back to shore after the incident.

US Sailing have led calls for a full inquiry.

Sixty crews representing 25 different nations are expected to participate in the week long event.

It will continue until Sunday (September 10).

Lange and Cecila Carranza will be among the favourites for gold along with home hopes Moana Vaireaux and Manon Audinet of France. 

Olympic silver medallists Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin of Australia and Austrian bronze medal winners Thomas Zajac and Tanja Frank are each also entered.

The mixed Nacra 17 class first featured on the Olympic programme in Rio and will return at Tokyo 2020.

The World Championships will, however, be the first competition to feature a newly configured foil design.