IBSA Farmaceutici and Para Sailing Academy together for sport beyond disability

A partnership to promote and develop the disabled sailing discipline nationally and internationally, reducing physical, economic and social distances and promoting inclusion as a founding value of the sport of sailing: this is the goal of the collaboration between the Para Sailing Academy (a sailing school for the disabled) of FIV (Federazione Italiana Vela, Italian Sailing Federation) and IBSA Farmaceutici, two realities that decided to join forces and commit themselves to open a new chapter in the Italian inclusive sailing.

A project born in collaboration with CONI, the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP, Comitato Italiano Paralimpico) and World Sailing (the global Sailing Federation) whose purpose is to bring tangible benefits to the sailing discipline in terms of growth, development and participation, involving an increasing number of enthusiasts and athletes and offering them equal opportunities, regardless of their skills or gender.

“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 and help give even more prominence to this sport, which is well known to be inclusive, educational and character-forming in all its aspects”, stated Giorgio Pisani, Vice President IBSA Group. “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”.

“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 Para Sailing Academy, with the support of IBSA Farmaceutici, will undertake to foster zonal programmes for the development and promotion of the discipline and to create one solid network of qualified technicians and managers, who will support the development of activities aimed at the introduction and dissemination of disabled 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.

IBSA Farmaceutici and FIV had already had the opportunity to meet and collaborate recently, on the occasion of the delivery ceremony of the two Hansa 303 boats that the company donated to the Punta Ala Yacht Club (located in Grosseto) within IBSA’s international project Sailing into the Future. Together. The Hansa 303s, specifically designed to simplify navigation for people with physical and mental disabilities, are aimed at the enhancement of the inclusive sailing activity of the Tuscan Sailing Club, increasing the number of participants in introductory sailing courses and giving already expert disabled sailors the opportunity to compete in sporting events in one of the most beautiful and competitive regatta fields in Italy.

Read the press release.