Two podiums for Algarve athletes in the National Adapted Sailing Championship, which took place in Viana do Castelo, on June 28, 29 and 30, are the result of six months of work and «an enormous desire to bring about a positive change in the life of physically handicapped people'.
Thus, João Pinto became the national champion of the Access 2.3 class, while António Ribeiro and Luís Ramalho, who made their debut in competition, achieved the silver medal in the Access 303 class.
João Pinto, António Guilherme Ribeiro and Luís Ramalho are part of the Vela Solidária project, of the Teia D'Impulsos association, from Portimão, and represent the Marina de Portimão Yacht Club.
In December 2012, the three sailors embraced this challenge and today they are a reference for many other people with disabilities.
João Pinto became the national champion of Access 2.3, an individual boat, not having given any opportunity to the more direct competitors, as he won all the races disputed, with plenty of distance to his opponents.
Second place was won by sailor Pedro Reis, from Clube Naval de Cascais, and sailor Fernando Pinto, from Sport Clube do Porto, closed the podium.
In the double class, Access 303, António Guilherme Ribeiro and Luís Ramalho showed great will and determination to reach the podium, having reached 2nd place, behind the team of Clube de Vela de Viana do Castelo, composed of José Carcalheiro and Jorge Freiria. The 3rd place was won by the team of Filipe Leite and Benjamim Machado, from Clube Naval de S. João do Porto.
«The resources to participate in this National Adapted Sailing Championship were enormous and were only possible thanks to the unconditional support of the Marina de Portimão Yacht Club, the Clube Naval de Portimão, which provided us with a vehicle, the Regional Sailing Association of the South and the Portuguese Association of Classes Access, which provided us with two boats», emphasize those responsible for the Vela Solidária project.
They also make “a special thanks to Luís Matos, Tiago Águas, Ricardo Santana and Vitor Dias, members of the Teia D'Impulsos Association, who gave up their jobs and families to volunteer for this trip to Viana do Castelo for four days".
Vela Solidária is a project that is based on partnerships and sponsorships, so those responsible for the project would like to thank all partners and sponsors.
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