LUNA ROSSA PRADA PIRELLI ALONGSIDE PARASAILING ACADEMY

From November 6 to 9 Cagliari hosted the Inclusive Development Programme, an activity related to the Para Sailing division, in collaboration with World Sailing and the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV).

In support of the initiative aimed to promote the inclusiveness of sailing throughout Italy with the Para Sailing Academy - strongly backed by President Ettorre and the Federal Council - Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team has also stepped in.

The Italian challenger to the 37th America's Cup organized a visit to the base, allowing participants the opportunity to interact with the team members and providing a unique insight in the organizational machine of an America’s Cup campaign; Vittorio Bissaro (one of Luna Rossa's trimmers) held a theory lesson for the group, providing an accurate overview of technical-tactical subjects that were greatly appreciated by the athletes.

The Inclusive Development Programme represented a training and growth experience to the guests who were able to explore various topics related to sailing and improve their know-how by practicing new techniques. The programme closed with a regatta in which the athletes demonstrated the skills they had acquired.

«It was really great to meet these guys, they are so energetic and curious», says Vittorio Bissaro, «because when you come out of the world of professionals, whether America's Cup or Olympic classes, and you are confronted with people who sail for pure passion, you rediscover the desire, the 'magic' and the freshness of the beginnings, which I always try to keep alive. The time we spent together literally flew by and I am happy to have taken part in this amazing initiative».

«Our Academy has once again proved to be vital and fully committed to Para Sailing», said FIV President Francesco Ettorre. «This initiative reinforces our dedication to inclusive sailing and brings us closer to the creation of an international Hub dedicated to Para Sailing».

«The Inclusive Development Programme project in Cagliari represents a new and crucial part of the project that we have been working to put together for 20 years now with the aim of promoting sport as a tool for well-being, inclusion and integration», commented Luca Pancalli, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee.