LOUIS VUITTON 37TH AMERICA'S CUP BOOSTS 'SAILING FOR ALL', THE ADAPTIVE SAILING LEGACY PROGRAM
- Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Event and Emirates Team New Zealand, was awarded one of the Mi Alex awards for promoting adaptive sailing.
- This legacy project "Vela per a tothom" (Sailing for Everyone) has been promoted with the Catalan Sailing Federation, the Mi Alex Foundation, and Barcelona Capital Náutica.
America's Cup Event (ACE) has launched the America's Cup legacy program ‘Vela per a tothom’ aimed at making sailing accessible to people with disabilities. This charitable project, presented at the Barcelona International Sailing Center, has been promoted alongside other entities such as the Catalan Sailing Federation, the Mi Alex Foundation, and Barcelona Capital Náutica Foundation.
Several prominent authorities attended an event featuring Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Event Barcelona and Emirates Team New Zealand, Anna Caula, General Secretary of Sports and Physical Activity of the Government of Catalonia; Gabriel Masfurroll, President of the Mi Alex Foundation; and Josep Maria Isern, President of the Catalan Sailing Federation. Representatives from the Barcelona Sports Institute of the City Council, the Barcelona Provincial Council, Barcelona Capital Náutica Foundation, and Hansa class sailors also participated.
The program includes several key actions such as training and supporting athletes with disabilities who wish to practice sailing. This is carried out in collaboration with nautical clubs. Another key point is the creation of an adaptive sailing school and the training of specialized technicians.
An Event Marked by Solidarity
After a welcome speech by Josep Maria Isern, representatives from various supporting institutions spoke about this project based on solidarity, inclusion, and equal opportunities. Grant Dalton emphasized the commitment of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup to this program: "The sea is a space that unites us all, regardless of our abilities. As organizers of the America’s Cup, we are proud to support the 'Vela per a tothom' project and invite everyone, regardless of their condition, to go out to sea and discover the benefits of sailing. Sailing freely is a transformative experience that promotes equality and inclusion."
Following the presentation of the ‘Vela per a tothom’ project video, Rory Mckinna and Àngels Roca, two sailors currently competing in the Kakapo Open Race, the first international adaptive sailing regatta in Catalonia, shared their experiences. This regatta is one of the actions included in the ‘Vela per a tothom’ program.
Afterward, Anna Caula outlined the Generalitat de Catalunya's strategies in adaptive sports and the joint projects they are working on with the Catalan Sailing Federation. She highlighted the solidarity of this new program: "The project we present today aims to improve, project, and become more inclusive, with the sailing world leading the way as it always has, understanding that Catalonia also lives by the sea.”
"Mi Alex" Awards and Event Closure
Towards the end of the event, Gabriel Masfurroll presented and delivered the “Mi Alex” awards in recognition of individuals and institutions that have played a key role in promoting adaptive sailing in the country. The awardees included Grant Dalton, CEO of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, Juanjo Beltran, head of adaptive sailing at the Club de Vela de Port d’Andratx and the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation. The event concluded with all participating authorities and entities signing a sail, symbolizing their joint commitment to the project.
