Organizers of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy are proud to once again partner with the Municipality of Cascais, as they welcome the prestigious event to Cascais for the second year in a row.
Commencing this Friday, this year’s regatta coincides with the Cascais stopover of The Ocean Race Europe, meaning that the full, 12-strong fleet of VO65s and IMOCA 60s will also line up together in Portugal for the first time, among competitors and sailing enthusiasts from around the country, for what promises to be a spectacular event for the region.
Organized in partnership with the Clube Naval de Cascais, the two-leg regatta will be officially opened by Mayor Carlos Carreiras on both Friday and Saturday morning. A symbolic battery of cannon fire from Fort Santo António da Barra will signal the start of the day’s racing, in view of the fleet assembled below. Deputy Mayor Miguel Pinto Luz will take part in the awards ceremony at the close of the event on Saturday evening.
Building on last year’s strong participation, boats from a wide variety of classes have registered for the event as competitive racing returns after a difficult year for the sailing community. Young sailors are a particular focus for this year’s event and will have the opportunity to compete in the same regatta as the spectacular Ocean Race Europe fleet and best sailors in the world.
Among the sailing stars competing in The Ocean Race Europe fleet at this year’s event will be three Portuguese Olympians, Frederico Melo, Bernardo Freitas and Mariana Lobato onboard the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team’s ‘Racing For The Planet’ VO65 which is also based in Cascais.
Sustainability and education are fundamental principles for both the Mirpuri Foundation and the Municipality of Cascais. The Sailing Trophy was founded last year to create awareness for marine conservation projects to protect the world’s oceans.
Paulo Mirpuri, Founder of the Mirpuri Foundation said: “We welcome the continued support of the Municipality of Cascais and Mayor Careers for the second year of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy. Last year’s event was the highlight of the sailing calendar and this year promises to be a true celebration of sailing, with the eyes of the international sporting community also upon us. We are proud to further the reach of our core message of sustainability and conservation and we look forward to welcoming competitors from around the country to Cascais. ”
Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais said: “Cascais is already part of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy’s itinerary. Following the previous edition, marked by the unprecedented context of the pandemic, this year’s edition continues with the mission proposed by the organizers, the Mirpuri Foundation, with the support of the Cascais Municipality. In our perspective, this race, which is one of the most notorious sailing competitions worldwide, comprises an environmental component which aligns with the municipality. The preservation of the seas and marine ecosystems, the fight against ocean pollution, are also the goals that go on board the sailboats of this prestigious trophy and are, at the same time, the brand of Cascais. ”
A dedicated medical team will be in place for the event, with all participants, support staff and media required to be tested for Covid-19 prior to the race, in order to allow for safe competition.
Images courtesy of Marc Bow and The Ocean Race.
