After the transfer from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, Alberto Bona and the Class40 IBSA set once again their sails towards the Atlantic, in view of the next scheduled regatta, the Transat Jacques Vabre.
Indeed, last September 7 Bona left Cap d’Antibes, on the French Riviera, where he had stayed with his boat for a few days to rest, refuel and enjoy a few meetings at the Société des Régates of Antibes and at IBSA’s French subsidiary.
“Coming all this way was very important, because we had the opportunity to sail with several people who had never even had the chance to see the boat, despite having supported us from the beginning of the project”,said Alberto.“I felt great enthusiasm and affection from everyone. The boat surprised all those who came on board with me for the first time, and it was very gratifying to see their smiles and read the amazement in their eyes. A definitely positive experience, also thanks to the weather, which gave us perfect sailing conditions; a real boost of energy for me and for IBSA”.
Members of the French sailing club, collaborators of IBSA France and the Headquarters, enthusiasts and guests gathered around – and on board – the Class40 IBSA for team building activities and mini-regattas together with Alberto Bona. It was a sharing opportunity in which Alberto participated with enthusiasm, involving everyone in sailing activities and exchanging stories of personal experiences.
“I went on a run with Nathan, a 16 year old boy who had lost an arm, and who had the dream of sailing on the Class40”, continued Alberto.“He is an athlete: he participates in the Nacra championship, he sails alone and does not race with disabled kids. He’s a tough, determined, super motivated guy; he immediately felt the power of the boat and he helmed it, helping me with the operations. You can feel how independent he is, and how he wants to go his own way”.
Now it’s time to cross the Mediterranean Sea once again and go back to the Atlantic, to Brittany, for the most awaited event of the season. The Class40 IBSA will enter the shipyard as soon as she reaches La Trinité sur Mer, to then welcome aboard Alberto Bona and co-skipper Pablo Santurde del Arco for a series of training sessions before October 29, the start date of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
