Inclusive sailing: the partnership with the Associazione Velabili of Lugano
Home / News / Inclusive sailing: the partnership with the Associazione Velabili of Lugano
Inclusive sailing: the partnership with the Associazione Velabili of Lugano
Home / News / Inclusive sailing: the partnership with the Associazione Velabili of Lugano
With its project Sailing into the Future. Together, IBSA supports the activities of three sailing associations and clubs in Switzerland, Italy and France, with which it has activated partnerships to promote inclusive sailing initiatives aimed at people with disabilities.
Among these, the Associazione Velabili, based at the Circolo Velico Lago di Lugano, one of whose distinctive and successful feature is precisely inclusive sailing. Created in 2016, since its foundation the association has increasingly extended its sailing activity programs for people with physical, mental and sensory disabilities.
Currently, about fifteen people with disabilities participate in the activities of the association, which has a fleet of five adapted boats (an RS Venture Connect SCSS and a few Hansa 303s) and can count on qualified skippers.
“I believe that Velabili has a great social value and is an excellent example of sporting inclusiveness, since it promotes independence and stimulates the sociability of all our members with disabilities”, said Boris Keller, President of the association. “We are proud of the success we are experiencing: with our participation in the Special Olympics World Games, our project is assuming great importance, and not only in Switzerland, but also at international level”.
Special Olympics is an international association that organises – in perfect Olympic style – sporting events dedicated to people with cognitive disabilities. And it is precisely in this context that IBSA’s contribution is to be found: indeed, the company has decided to support the athletes of the Associazione Velabili in participating in the Special Olympics World Games.
In fact, after qualifying for the Swiss national regattas in St. Gallen, last June, the Associazione Velabili will participate with two crews in the World Championships in Berlin, scheduled on Lake Wannsee in 2023. Full speed ahead!
Watch the full interview with Boris Keller, President of the Associazione Velabili:
