Exciting flotilla to line up for the highly anticipated Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2022
by Mirpuri Foundation 7 Jul 2022 06:20 NZST
9-10 July 2022
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy © Mirpuri Foundation
The annual Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy is set to get under way this weekend 9 and 10 July in Cascais, Portugal.
- Portugal's most anticipated and prestigious regatta of the year will take place on 9 and 10 of July in Cascais.
- Two-day festival of sailing across multiple classes including NHC, ORC, VO65, SB20, and Optimist.
- Winners of The Ocean Race Europe 2021, Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team return to compete in their home event.
- Plastic-free sustainable event with competitor entry fees sponsored by the Mirpuri Foundation and donated to ocean health projects.
- Prestigious Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award for innovation in ocean health sustainability to be awarded for second time.
The regatta, which was established by the Mirpuri Foundation in 2020 to create awareness and raise funds for marine conservation, will see the third edition of the sustainable event get under way to cannon fire from onboard the Navio Patrulha Oceânico Sines of the Portuguese Navy at midday on Saturday July 9th.
An impressive entry list across five classes, including high-end VO65 and VO70 race boats, will compete in the two-day regatta and promises to bring spectacular racing to the bay of Cascais.
Building on last year's strong participation, over a hundred boats from more than ten nations across a wide variety of classes have registered for the event and younger sailors' classes are again a particular focus for this year's event.
One of the highlights for fans will be watching the winners of The Ocean Race Europe's first edition in 2021, the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team, racing out on the water. The Cascais-based professional team will be competing on board their VO65 boat Racing for the Planet, skippered by Volvo Ocean Race winner Jack Bouttell. Joining Bouttell on board are seven of the world's elite offshore sailors including local Portuguese Olympic superstar Mariana Lobato.
Skipper Jack Bouttell said: "We're all really looking forward to racing on our home waters again and will are training in Cascais this week, leading up to the event. Racing in an event that carries your sponsor's name brings a certain level of extra pressure, but we've done well here in the past and I'm looking forward to competing for the beautiful trophy."
Organised by the Mirpuri Foundation and the Clube Naval de Cascais, the 2022 edition builds on the legacy of the previous events, and together with the City of Cascais, will play host to sailors from across the world.
Paulo Mirpuri, Founder of the Mirpuri Foundation added: "We welcome the continued support of the Municipality of Cascais, and Mayor Carlos Carreiras, and look forward to continuing to build on the successes of the previous editions. The regatta has become a highlight of the annual sailing calendar and I look forward to welcoming the competitors and their families from around the world to Cascais for our celebration of sailing."
Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais said: "From a city's perspective the regatta is growing in reputation as not only a spectacular sporting event but also the environmental component aligns well with our municipality. The preservation of the seas and marine ecosystems are also goals that the city of Cascais places huge value upon. We look forward to this year's event and hosting our sailing friends in our beautiful city of Cascais."
The racing continues on Sunday, July 10th, and culminates with the regatta's prize-giving event which is the highlight of the weekend. The impressive Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy will be awarded to the line honours winner, which will be defended by the 107ft superyacht Green Eyes who won the trophy in 2021.
In addition to the numerous class trophies for racing, the prestigious Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award will be presented to recognize excellence in the scientific community and rewards the most innovative project designed to positively impact ocean health.