IBSA AND PARA SAILING ACADEMY: A NEW PROJECT FOR INCLUSIVE SAILING

Para Sailing Academy of the Federazione Italiana Vela (“Italian Sailing Federation”) and IBSA Italy: two realities that decided to join forces in the area of Italian inclusive sailing: it’s with this new social sustainability chapter that the project Sailing into the Future. Together is being enriched.

The project was born in collaboration with CONI, CIP (Comitato Italiano Paralimpico, “Italian Paralympic Committee”) and World Sailing (the world sailing federation) with the aim of making sailing a tool for growth, development and participation for enthusiasts and athletes, while offering them equal opportunities, regardless of their abilities.

“Sailing is a wonderful sport, where the values ​​of respect, mutual aid and integration come before victory. We are proud to support the Para Sailing Academy (a disabled sailing school) and help give even more prominence to this sport, which is well known to be inclusive, educational and formative in all its aspects”, said Giorgio Pisani, IBSA Group Vice President. “As people and as a company, we have a responsibility to create a positive impact on both the communities and the environment where we live. The collaboration with FIV goes in this direction, and reinforces our commitment towards social and collective responsibility issues, raising awareness and actively involving especially the younger generations in social sustainability”.

IBSA Italy and the Para Sailing Academy will carry out several initiatives aimed at creating a solid network of qualified technicians and managers in the promotion and introduction to sailing. Thanks to this joint commitment, it will be possible to provide athletes and disabled sailing enthusiasts with adequate support, facilitating their participation in national and international sporting events.

“We are really proud that an excellence like IBSA has decided to support the Para Sailing Academy project”, announced FIV President, Francesco Ettorre. “We have always been committed to bringing as many people as possible closer to our world, breaking down any barrier that could even ideally become the slightest obstacle. IBSA immediately and enthusiastically acknowledged this Academy and the inclusive vision of our sport”.

The partnership with FIV’s Para Sailing Academy adds to the many opportunities that see IBSA engaged at the forefront of inclusive sailing, such as the delivery of Hansa 303 boats to the Punta Ala Yacht Club in Italy and the support to the Associazione Velabili of the Circolo Velico Lago di Lugano during the Special Olympics World Games 2023.