In 2022 the project Sailing into the Future. Together was born from IBSA’s sensitivity to sustainability issues and from the company’s closeness to the world of sport. Through sailing, this project offers the opportunity to describe IBSA’s future-oriented philosophy and vision, while disseminating them at global level.
Sailing into the Future. Together is much more than a sports project: indeed, it is part of a path that brings IBSA increasingly closer to the theme of sustainability, promoting respect for nature and the environment, as well as a new sensitivity and awareness towards collective responsibility issues, with activities dedicated to people with disabilities.
In collaboration with Swiss, French and Italian nautical clubs, IBSA is in fact committed to supporting inclusive sailing initiatives, in order to involve people with disabilities in experiences in close contact with the sea, allowing them to participate in integrated competitions, improve their skills and gain greater confidence.
As part of the inclusive sailing project, on 29 and 30 September IBSA France kicked off the first edition of the IBSA Regatta, organised in collaboration with the Société des Régates d’Antibes, on the French Riviera, to which the company had donated two Hansa 303 boats. A competition dedicated to 12 to 17-year-old girls and boys, the IBSA Regatta saw 18 crews racing in the Mediterranean waters, for a total of 37 participants, 23 of whom with disabilities.
In Canton Ticino (CH), IBSA decided to support the Associazione Velabili which – operating within the Circolo Velico Lago di Lugano (CVLL) – offers people with physical, mental and sensory disabilities the opportunity to practice sailing. Last June, IBSA supported the participation of the organisation’s athletes in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. The two Velabili teams won a gold and a bronze medal. Furthermore, the Company decided to become the main promoter of the end-of-summer Regatta of the Circolo Velico Lago di Lugano, kicking off the 2023 edition of the 1st IBSA Cup, an event that will become a regular feature.
In Italy, IBSA donated two Hansa 303s to the Yacht Club Punta Ala. By expanding the fleet with these two boats, the goal was to boost the Yacht Club’s accommodation capacity, offering disabled sailors the opportunity to practice their sport and compete in one of the most beautiful and challenging regatta courses in Italy. And not only that: IBSA signed a three-year partnership agreement with the Para Sailing Academy (a disabled sailing school) – the project of FIV (Federazione Italiana Vela, Italian Sailing Federation) born in collaboration with CONI, the Italian Paralympic Committee (CIP, Comitato Italiano Paralimpico) and World Sailing (the World Sailing Federation). A sort of “giro d’Italia” where the boats stop for a month in several clubs on the peninsula, during which time the monitors (sailing instructors) are trained, “qualifying” them for disabled sailing activities and for teaching to people with motor or visual disabilities.
Educating to the respect of others, while fighting prejudices and discrimination; promoting a real inclusion of diversity also on the competition field; creating opportunities for social integration, dialogue and understanding; breaking down barriers and differences, projecting ourselves – united and in solidarity – towards a better future: these are the objectives that IBSA aims to help achieve – with concrete and tangible actions – through its project Sailing into the Future. Together.
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