Please select your home edition
Edition
ETNZ Store Sale No.2 728x90px TOP

700 sailors ready to race in the 5th edition of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy

by Mirpuri Foundation 1 Jul 22:14 NZST 5-7 July 2024
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2022 © Sailing Energy / MFST

The annual Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy event is set to get under way this weekend from 5 to 7 July in Cascais, Portugal.

The regatta, which was established by the Mirpuri Foundation in 2020 to create awareness and raise funds for marine conservation, will see the fifth edition start with cannon fire from onboard a Portuguese Navy Ship, at midday on Saturday, July 6th.

An impressive entry list across seven classes (NHC, ORC, SNIPE, SB20, FINN, J70 and OPTIMIST), including high-end VO65 and Wally100 race boats, will compete in the two-day regatta and promises to bring spectacular racing to the bay of Cascais.

The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy, organised by the Mirpuri Foundation and the Clube Naval de Cascais, and together with the City of Cascais, will play host to sailors and guests from across the world. Building on last editions' strong participation, 700 sailors from 9 to 80 years old, and from more than ten nations have registered for the event, from countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Switzerland, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland and Hong Kong. It's Portugal's biggest regatta in number of sailors.

One of the highlights for fans will be watching the winners of The Ocean Race Europe, 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 the Olympic Bernardo Freitas. Joining Freitas on board will be 9 of the world's elite offshore sailors including Willy Altadill, Carlos Robles, Nicholas Heiner, Lucas Chapman and Moritz Spitzauer.

"We are delighted to be hosting the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy in Cascais for the fifth consecutive year. This event not only enriches the local sporting calendar but also highlights Cascais' role as one of the destinations of choice for national and international sailing events.", said Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais. "We are committed to providing a memorable experience for all participants and spectators while promoting the core values of sustainability and sporting excellence that the Mirpuri Foundation represents so well."

Presidente of Clube Naval de Cascais, Francisco Brito e Abreu: "The Mirpuri Foundation SailingTrophy became a landmark for our sailing community. With 170 boats registered across seven classes, this two-day event not only showcases the competitive spirit but also highlights our dedication to promoting sailing as a sport for all ages and skill levels. We are thrilled to witness such an impressive turnout and look forward to an exciting and successful event."

Paulo Mirpuri, Founder of the Mirpuri Foundation added: "We're really looking forward to racing in Cascais again. The regatta has become a highlight of the annual sailing calendar and I can't wait to welcome all the competitors for our celebration of sailing."

The racing continues Sunday, July 7th, 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 VO65 Racing for the Planet, who won the trophy in 2023.

For the 4th time, the prestigious Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award will be presented, to recognise excellence in the scientific community and reward a project designed to positively impact ocean health. The Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award 2024 will be attributed to an initiative led by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), that combines marine conservation with circular economy principles.

In addition to the grant provided by IUCN, the winner project will receive a 10,000-Euro prize from the Mirpuri Foundation, double the amount awarded in previous years, and will be revealed by the IUCN Director General, Dr Grethel Aguilar, in the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy Awards Ceremony.

The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy was again in this year recognised by UNESCO as an official Ocean Decade event, in appreciation of its sustainability efforts.

All the entry fees for the sustainability-focused regatta are donated to ocean health projects by title sponsor the Mirpuri Foundation.

Quick Links:

Related Articles

Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling - regular entries close on December 31 Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW). Posted on 12 Nov
SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody - Now just €50
Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: Was €120 | Now €50 - Order yours today! Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: WAS €120 | NOW €50 - Order yours today! Ideal Xmas gift for America's Cup fans! Get your souvenir hoody on the America's Cup champion! Posted on 7 Nov
Vendee Globe: 'Crazy Kiwi' racing on renewables
Conrad Colman plans on repeating his 2015/26 feat racing without the use of fossil fuel In the 2016 Vendee Globe, Conrad Colman became the first competitor in Vendee Globe history to finish without using a drop of fossil fuel during his circumnavigation. He plans on repeating the feat in the upcoming Vendee Globe race. Posted on 30 Oct
Predictwind is official partner of Vendee Globe
PredictWind will bring fans into the Vendée Globe action with a world-first Race Weather Centre Global leader in marine weather forecasting, PredictWind, has announced its official partnership with IMOCA - one of the fastest and most exciting offshore yacht racing classes - to become the exclusive Weather Data Supplier for the Vendée Globe 2024. Posted on 22 Oct
NZ Marine industry celebrates Am Cup Defence
NZ marine technology and innovation is used both by its own and other teams contesting the Cup While New Zealand sailors are considered among the world's best, the country's marine technology and innovation is used both by its own team, and by the teams contesting the America's Cup. Posted on 19 Oct
New facilities attract more superyachts to NZ
Superyacht attraction initiatives paying off as NZ Marine reports $212m superyacht economic boost A new report shows superyacht visitors injected $212m into the New Zealand economy in the 2023/4 season. The report has been released as New Zealand ramps up its superyacht attraction initiatives. Posted on 11 Oct
Cup Spy - Finals - Who dares, wins
The AC75 proved its ability to provide compelling viewing, match racing at speeds touching 55kts Critics of the AC75 and its suitability as a match racer for the America's Cup should be eating their words after Sunday's Blinder in Barcelona Posted on 30 Sep
Check the rules before summer boating starts 
Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across mar Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across marine pest risks and rules before heading out on the water this summer. Posted on 24 Sep
17 NZ marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey'
Kiwi marinas make big steps in environmental performance : 17 marinas now on ‘Clean Marina journey' The $540 million marina and boatyard industry is on a mission to minimise its environmental impact, particularly in relation to coastal water quality. Posted on 21 Sep
Southern Spars at the Monaco Yacht Show
From America's Cup technology to the World's largest sailing catamaran: Connect with Southern Spars The Monaco Yacht Show is the showcase event for innovation in the superyacht industry and as the global leader in high-performance composite rig technology for luxury yachts, Southern Spars is excited to attend again in 2024. Posted on 19 Sep
SOUTHERN-SPARS-MISSY-FURLING-BOOMS-728-X-90 BottomCollinsonCo 728x90 BOTTOMTNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-2 BOTTOM