There will be two days of strong emotions at one of Portugal’s most emblematic sailing events, with Women on Water Regatta and Regata do Infante. Porto Sail also provides, for the first time, the opportunity for everyone to live this moment.
It’s at Douro Marina, in Vila Nova de Gaia, between today and tomorrow, The first fully accessible and comprehensive national regatta. The Lusíadas Saúde group, located from the north to the south of the country to take care of everyone, is promoting another version of the Porto Sailing, which is already one of the most emblematic sailing events in Portugal. This year’s program is designed to be enjoyed by all, whether athletes or spectators.
In the waters of the Douro River sails the Lusíadas For All, the world’s first catamaran that meets the technical and safety requirements necessary to extend the practice of sailing to all residents. The ship was developed in Portugal for BBDouroIn its central platform, there are four wheelchair seats, which will be occupied by the “Sim, Somos Capazes” team, an innovative social project that promotes the inclusion of young people with intellectual disabilities with ambitions and skills that suit them. distinguish them from others.
“A national reference and part of the world’s largest health group, the UnitedHealth Group, Grupo Lusíadas is the largest health partner in national sport. As a socially responsible organization, we also promote the principles of inclusion and diversity,” says Vasco Antunes Pereira, CEO and Chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Committee at Grupo Lusíadas Saúde.
Lusíadas Saúde Porto Sailing was organized under the motto “We raise the sails of sport for all” so that access to the public has been expanded, a first in this type of event. A two-dimensional floor plan of the container and accessible spaces will be provided in cases of low traffic and sign language, something that can only be achieved thanks to the partnership with the “Accessible Portugal” association.
“In light of this situation, Lusíadas is committed to making the sport accessible to all residents. Thus, this year’s edition of Lusíadas Saúde Porto Sailing is of particular interest. It is the first nationally designed sailing event to be truly inclusive”, also notes the group director that, In the north, it offers its services in Porto, Gaia and Braga.
For those who want to think more and better about the topic of inclusion, the program also includes a space for discussion and reflection, with the conversation curated “Do you accept the challenge of inclusion and awareness?”. On stage, examples of overcoming difficulties will be recognized, with inspiring life stories, such as Jorge Pena, Paralympic athlete, Mafalda Ribeiro, lecturer and author of the “Smiling on Wheels” project, and Pinto Amaral, IVDP winemaker and Modified Sailing World Champion.
In the competition, the agenda is set for sailing enthusiasts to enjoy some unique moments of the sport. During these two days, the athletes who will represent our country in the SB20 World Finals, which will take place in Cascais, between 15 and 17 October 2021, will be selected. The dispute will take place at the Women on Water Regatta, a one-on-one regatta with an exclusively female crew in Portugal. The Infante Regatta will conduct the largest test of cruise ships in northern Portugal, with unique access to the famous historical area of Ribeira do Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
And if talking about inclusion is useless if we don’t have a planet to live on, then the event also considers environmental conservation and awareness among the values that should not be forgotten. To reduce the environmental impact of the event, the organization of Lusíadas Saúde Porto Sailing 2021 complies with the requirements of the “Clean Regatta” program, the only one in the world with an environmental sustainability certificate for regattas. The event also integrates the purchase of goods and services from social organizations into its value chain.
