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The first one was good. The first edition of the Hansa class paralympic sailing regatta «Coppa Forte a Mare» concluded on Sunday 28 April amidst emotions and enthusiasm. It took place in the waters of the Marina di Brindisi tourist port.
The event, organized by the Lega navale section of Brindisi and the Gv3 association (A Gonfie vele verso la vita), saw 26 athletes competing with 13 Hansa 303 boats. The crews were involved in five total races, three on the day on Saturday, two on Sunday. A path between the buoys where the colored sails competed for the podium. The first edition was won by the «Liberi nel Vento» club of Porto San Giorgio, an all-female crew, made up of Sara Conti and Rossella Mengascini who gave the other racers a hard time. «Liberi nel Vento» also achieved second place: the Luna and Giovanni Di Biagio crew recovered, obtaining another important position. Third place remains at home with the placing of the athletes Maurizio Turi and Francesso Gattinari of Gv3 and Lega navale Brindisi.
«We experienced wonderful emotions, a moment of sport and integration with the elimination of all differences and barriers – explains Marco Miglietta, president of GV3 -. Thanks to the commitment of many volunteers it was possible to organize this first edition and it is not certain that Brindisi will not be able to host the national Paralympic regatta next year. There are already discussions in this sense.”
«The regatta was strongly supported by all of us – comments Salvatore Zarcone, president of LNI Brindisi – and the great success achieved pushes us to commit ourselves even more. The participation of distant crews should be noted and we are already thinking about the next edition of the ‘Forte a Mare’ regatta and beyond. We are at I am also working to equip ourselves with other special HANSA 303 boats. Great harmony between LNI Brindisi and GV3, who share themes and commitments of great social and sporting relevance”
The success of the event was also possible thanks to the collaboration of the Naval League of San Foca, the Naval League of Trani, the Brindisi Sailing Club and the Navy. The assistance at sea from the Port Authority of Brindisi was fundamental, allowing the race to be raced in absolute safety.
