IBSA Pharma and its commitment to inclusive sailing

Not only a sporting achievement, but also an opportunity to support socially responsible activities, such as inclusive sailing. And it was precisely in this spirit that last March the project Sailing into the Future. Together – now celebrating a new, important milestone – was launched.

On November 16, in fact, IBSA Pharma SAS – the French subsidiary of the IBSA Group – officially sealed the cooperation with the Société des Régates d’Antibes. Fabrice Jover, General Manager of IBSA Pharma, symbolically handed over the keys to two Hansa 303s, designed to be sailed by people with disabilities.

The event was attended by Jean Leonetti, Mayor of Antibes; Jacque Gente, Vice-President of the Department Council and Councillor for Social Affairs and Solidarity; Martine Savelli, Disability Delegate; Françoise Thomel, Department Councillor; and Thierry Motsch, Sports Director.

“Through this project, we give life to the values ​​that IBSA intends to share: humanity, innovation, quality and responsibility, values ​​that perfectly blend with those of freedom, solidarity, sharing and performance”,explained Fabrice Jover. “This project is future-oriented, because it’s aimed at young people. There will be two of them on board, and they will have to communicate in order to move forward together. The kids will be masters of their own boat; they will be responsible for it, and they will be able to share the fun, enjoy the sea and the wind, and even compete in a regatta. I hope this activity will inspire these young people to love sailing, and that some of them will become the great sailors of tomorrow”.

For Alain Venturi, President of the Société des Régates d’Antibes: “The SRA has always organised events dedicated to people with physical and mental disabilities, or even to those with a disease (Handiboise, the pink regatta, the crossing of hope). Two years ago our Organisation purchased a Handivoile, to take people to sea, with the help of the Department Council. IBSA’s donation of boats for young disabled people is therefore a nice surprise”.

On the occasion of the event, Fabrice Jover also announced the birth of the “IBSA Regatta” for 12-17 year olds on Hansa 303s, which will be held in Antibes on 29 and 30 September 2023. About twenty boats are expected to participate, with a double crew made up of young people from France, but also from Italy and Switzerland. The IBSA Regatta will be held every year, and will have the ambition to bring out young talents and to become the first regatta for young people with disabilities, a further step towards the creation of a more equitable and inclusive sport, which is among the objectives of the project Sailing into the Future. Together.

Meanwhile, the Route du Rhum is underway, and Alberto Bona and the Class40 IBSA have reached their thirteenth day of navigation. There are less than a thousand miles to go for the arrival on the island of Guadeloupe, with Alberto Bona stably in the leading group of the first ten Class40s (in 8^th place at the time of writing). The regatta is not over yet, therefore anything can still happen!