BRINDISI – The first edition of the “Coppa Forte a Mare” will be held in Brindisi from 26 to 28 April. This is the first Paralympic regatta in the Hansa class in Puglia. The event was organized by the Italian Naval League, Brindisi section, and by the Gv3 association (A Gonfie vele verso la vita), which has been involved in solidarity sailing for over 10 years.
Numerous athletes from different parts of Italy will participate in the race, representing their sailing clubs. A moment of sport but also and above all of fun and integration. The values of sailing that break down every difference and obstacle to equality.
The regattas, which will take place in the body of water in front of the Marina di Brindisi tourist port, will be held on 27 April at 11 am and on 28 April at 10 am. The winners will be awarded prizes to follow.
The event was sponsored by the Puglia Regional Council. On Friday 26 April at 6.30 pm there will be a welcome for the crews in which the president of the Regional Council, Loredana Capone, the regional guarantor of the rights of people with disabilities, Antonio Giampietro, the mayor of Brindisi, Giuseppe Marchionna, the president of the Province of Brindisi, Toni Matarrelli and representatives of the Italian Sailing Federation. The Naval League of Trani and the Naval League of San Foca contributed to the initiative.
“For months we have been working on this project which has led to the formation of a paralympic sailing team from the city of Brindisi – explains Marco Miglietta, president of the Gv3 association – the athletes participated in training and were also protagonists of a regatta in Palermo . This is just the beginning of a more ambitious project. The aim is always that of integration and involvement through sailing and the sea. Events and activities that provide tools to achieve true equal opportunities and the elimination of differences. Brindisi can be at the forefront on this front.”
“The great commitment made by the Naval League, faithful to the statute which commits us to the protection of the marine environment and the promotion of water sports, has led to the demolition of architectural barriers in our section and the provision of infrastructures to allow the practice of the sport of sailing even for the disabled – says Salvatore Zarcone, president of the Brindisi Naval League. – And so, the Lni Brindisi turns out to be the best nautical base in Italy (according to the «Sbanded helmsmen», crew in wheelchairs, who circumnavigated Italy to verify accessibility for the disabled)”.
“We have also trained Paralympic instructors and everything – underlines Zarcone – has allowed us to enroll a considerable number of athletes who, on special boats, train at sea and prepare for category regattas. We intend to invest further in this direction also because it is the satisfaction that we all feel in giving a smile to those who are less fortunate is great.”
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Tags: paralympic regatta Puglia Brindisi
