A new important recognition for IBSA’s international project Sailing into the Future. Together and for Alberto Bona, skipper of the Class4 IBSA, who were the protagonists of the second edition of the Sport for Nature Awards. This accolade was created with the aim of celebrating “sport with a green soul”, enhancing the athletes, companies and institutions that have distinguished themselves with sporting initiatives related to environmental and social sustainability.
Sailing into the Future
Sport for Nature Awards 2023: IBSA wins the prize for social commitment
THE SPORTS FOR NATURE AWARDS 2023
The Sport for Nature Awards ceremony was held on 15 June in Monaco, under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II. Among the many champions who distinguished themselves for their sensitivity towards environmental and social sustainability were Alberto Bona (8th place at the last Route du Rhum and winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 in 2023), Yohann Taberlet(multi-awarded French Paralympic skier) e David Trezeguet (former French footballer, World Champion in 1998 and European Champion in 2000).
Among the companies, IBSA France – the French subsidiary of the IBSA Group – was awarded the prize in the category “Company for social initiatives” for its commitment to inclusive sailing in favour of people with disabilities within the project Sailing into the Future. Together.
“In France we chose to partner with the Antibes yachting club to support major inclusive sailing initiatives. In 2022, we donated two boats adjusted for children with disabilities, to involve them in experiences in close contact with the sea, allowing them to sail with accessible boats and participate in integrated regattas. This year we will renew our support, which will be even greater, with the organisation of the first IBSA Regatta, specially dedicated to children with disabilities between the ages of 12 and 17, to be held on 29 and 30 September”, explained Fabrice Jover, CEO of IBSA France, who accepted the award.
This recognition reconfirms the great value of IBSA’s project Sailing into the Future. Together, which had already been awarded in 2022 on the occasion of the first Italian edition of the Sport for Nature Awards, which was held in Milan in March.
SUSTAINABILITY AT THE HEART OF THE PROJECT SAILING INTO THE FUTURE. TOGETHER
Started in 2022, Sailing into the Future. Together is IBSA’s three-year international project, which combines the values of sport with those of environmental and social sustainability. Competition, technology, determination and teamwork are the key elements of the sporting challenge that sees as protagonists the innovative Class40 IBSA and skipper Alberto Bona, engaged in a busy calendar of international regattas which in 2023 will lead him to cover over 13,000 miles. Some of these regattas – such as the Rolex Fastnet Race, starting on July 22, and the Transat Jacques Vabre, scheduled for October 29 – are among the most challenging and difficult.
In addition to the sporting dimension, the project aims to raise awareness of topics of great relevance and collective interest, such as environmental and social sustainability. In addition to being a clean sport, sailing also becomes a tool for social inclusion and integration, through initiatives involving young people and adults with physical and cognitive difficulties in Switzerland, France and Italy, where the company launched several collaborations with sailing clubs.
