Karpaz Gate Marina supports Winds of Change sailing project to promote yacht tourism in Cyprus
by Karpaz Gate Marina 11 Jun 2023 00:35 NZST
Winds of Change project © Karpaz Gate Marina
Karpaz Gate Marina is supporting an inspirational project to create the first bi-communal Cypriot sailing team to sail around the divided island of Cyprus together.
With a mission to build peace, connection and change through sport, the historic 'Winds of Change' journey provides an opportunity for young Greek and Turkish Cypriots to unite for a common purpose.
The challenge is founded and designed by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leader and Olympian Dr. Sophia Papamichalopoulos, OLY, with the support of the IOC and Oxygono.
The circumnavigation around Cyprus is scheduled for early September, following team development, selection and training during the summer.
As a pioneering development in Northern Cyprus, Karpaz Gate Marina identifies the need to promote yacht tourism possibilities and shares the Winds of Change mission to contribute to peacebuilding, reaffirming its position as a positive force in the future growth of yachting and travel tourism for the whole island.
The Karpaz peninsula marina is backing the project as an Official Supporter, hosting Sophia, the selected sailors and coaches for part of their training schedule in August. The marina will provide access to the resort's marine and leisure facilities, including accommodation, restaurant, conference room and gym.
A film crew will also be on site to shoot scenes for a documentary production, planned to capture the build-up to the unique journey on screen to showcase how sport can inspire and promote peace globally.
Liza Singer, Managing Director at Karpaz Gate Marina, said: "When I heard about Sophia's ambitious idea for the Winds of Change project, I had no hesitation in offering support.
"There is a synergy with the Karpaz Gate Marina development and our vision to lead the development of the region, a lesser-known area of the East Mediterranean, in the yachting community and in the yachting tourism sector. The yachting infrastructure has developed in the 12 years since we opened, but to allow the island as a whole to become a real yachting destination, there is a need for collaboration. Cyprus is an island country, with a vast coastline, and we need to utilise this coastline for the benefit of the entire country, putting political issues aside. We look forward to being part of the Winds of Change project and wish them success."
Cypriots aged between 18 and 35 can apply to join the programme with the best applicants invited to participate in series of workshops and activities before final team selection. During June and July, experienced sailing coaches from both communities will lead courses on the south and north Cyprus coasts, on a single-handed dinghy boat and together on a keelboat to increase confidence.
In the final challenge this September, the team members will live together on the boat, development communication and leadership skills in their bid to become the first Cypriot team to circumnavigate the island.
Cyprus has been a divided island since the war in 1974, during which roughly a third of the country's population was displaced. Today, Greek and Turkish Cypriots are still divided by a physical border.
Sophia Papamichalopoulos, who grew up as the daughter of refugees, is a former alpine skier and competed at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and was Cyprus' flagbearer during the closing ceremony. Having grown up next to her local sailing club, she has sailed from a young age. For Sophia, sport was the ideal way for her to inspire peace.
She said: "Our project contributes to peace and conflict prevention by bringing the two divided communities in Cyprus together, inspiring more bi-communal activities on the island and promoting the use of sport in the peace-building process. Ultimately, through this project, we want to challenge, empower and inspire young people in Cyprus and around the world."
See more information about Winds of Change on Instagram and LinkedIn.