The Algarve sailor João Pinto (Solidarity Sailing/Iate Clube Marina de Portimão) finished 19th overall on the first day of the European Paralympic Sailing Championship, which runs until September in Valencia (Spain).
The sailor from Portimão, national champion and European vice-champion of Adapted Sailing in the 303 Duplos Access Class, had a very tough debut in this European Championship, which competes «in a borrowed boat whose conditions leave a lot to be desired».
«For the first experience in an official competition in this type of boat – and taking into account that it is only the 2nd time that João rides a 2.4mR – the result was satisfactory», considers the Vela Solidária project.
João Pinto and his coach Luís Brito are «very tired», since «there have been three days of intense training and competitions, followed – always – by a minimum of 3/4 hours at the club, trying to improve the conditions of the boat that was loaned to us. » by the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation. But they are “excited” and today there is more.
João Pinto is the best Adapted Sailing athlete in Portugal, but his participation in this European Championship in Spain was difficult to achieve, due to the lack of a boat for him to be present.
The good results of the sailor from Portimão – paraplegic following a motorcycle accident four years ago, when he was already sailing – were all obtained in Access class boats, in which the Algarve is also a European bronze medalist in 303 singles.
In Portugal, there are only three 2.4mR boats, in Leixões, which are not used in official competitions. According to the Swell-Algarve website, João Pinto tried to borrow one of these boats, but without success.
The sailor's and his coach's first contact with this class of boats ended up taking place in August, at an ISAF (international federation) stage in England. João Pinto adapted well and even won the competition, against nine other more experienced athletes.
João Pinto and his coach Luís Brito should now be called up by the Portuguese Sailing Federation for a second stage, in Melbourne (Australia), in November, where he will then stay to participate in the Paralympic World Cup, where the Algarve will try to qualify Portugal for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
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