35th America’s Cup
One vision, one value. On par, no barriers.
Since 2006, one message: we can, you can!
One vision, one value. www.argochallenge.org
On par, no barriers. © ideaargo2013 wecanucan 2 Argo Challenge is a project associated to the next America’s Cup to bring an international team of disabled sailors to the highest levels of competition. Started on initiative of Antonio Spinelli, it made its first appearance during Winter Paralympics Games of Torino 2006.
This project is about challenging the common concept of “normality”, bringing it beyond the usual understanding of everyday life: it is about inclusion.
The goal is to show the world that it is possible to reach great objectives even if one is disabled, and that in sport, like in life, barriers can be overcome if one is determined, passionate, professional and work in a great team.
ONE strong and universal message, shared by common people, people that can go beyond the common standards.
On par, no barriers wecanucan
If an idea doesn’t seem absurd in the beginning, there is no hope for it. (Albert Einstein) One vision, one value. On par, no barriers. wecanucan 3
International Support
United Nations
International Association of Disabled Sailors (IFDS)
City of Torino (Italy)
Piedmont Region (Italy)
Italian Navy Academy (Italy)
Italian Minister for Youth and Sport Policies (Italy)
Treasure Island Sailing Center (USA)
Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors - BAADS (USA)
Shake-a-Leg Miami (USA)
Team Paradise (USA)
SportDiPiù Association of Torino (Italy)
Projeto Grael di Niteroi (Brazil)
Project Segelzentrum (Germany)
Un mar sin barreras of Valencia (Spain)
Sail Ability Veneto (Italy) Media talk about us *
Televisions: Radio: Newspapers: Magazines: • CNN • Radio 1 • La Stampa • Bolina • CNBC • R MonteCarlo • La Repubblica • FV - Fare Vela • SKY • Radio News24 • Il Giornale • Euro-Nautica • Rai • Radio Kiss Kiss • Il Tempo • Mondo Barca • La7 • Radio Centro 95 • Avvenire • Nautica • RTL • Radio Svizzera • Italia Oggi • Solo Vela • TF1 Italiana • Cinque Giorni • Main Sail • TF3 • City • Giornale della Vela • ESPN • Nice Matin • Estetica • Rete Globo • O Globo • Sportweek • Grp • Tuttosport • Espresso • Tele7 • Il Sole 24 Ore • ITC Professional • Quarta Rete • Corriere della Sera • Made 4 Sports • Sport TV Brazil • Las Provincias • Torino Sette • Sailing Channel • Gazzetta dello Sport • Seahorse • Yacht & Sail • Milano Finanza • Yachting in CS • Televisione Svizzera Italiana • SF Chronicle • Yachting Capital • Scuttlebutt • Sailing Anarchy
Wide diffusion on the web * The complete and updated media report is available on request
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…since the news of the enterprise reached every corner of the Earth, many a youth of the noblest families asked to take part in the voyage. Jason hauled the boat into the water, adorned it with all that could amaze, and chose only the most valiant from among the candidates. The America’s Cup with an international team Diodorus Siculus Historical Library, IV 41 of sailors and disabled athletes
This is the first and most important project by Argo. Innovative, unique, and with a great impact on media around the world.
Sport as a means of integration, physical and psychological rehabilitation for physical disabled people has proven to be highly successful.
Sailing, contrary to most other sports, offers the chance to compete at the highest possible levels on par with all sailors regardless of disabilities. Lars Grael, Brazilian, twice Olympic medalist, living legend for Olympic Class Sailing, is at present one of the best sailors in the world even though he lost a leg during a training regatta.
Argo’s success is identified by the amount of people that we can educate about living with disabilities and how sailing and athletics play a key role in the development of those living with a disability.
Argo’s participation within the 35° America’s Cup as competitor or partner is a win as for whom Argo Challenge represents as well as a win for the America's Cup community. 8 Main milestones from 2006 onwards:
• 14th March ‘06: official presentation and achieved the patronage of local Institutions;
• 11th June: Lars Grael wins for Argo the Star Class Benetti International Trophy, Viareggio (Italy);
• 15th June: entrance in our base in Gaeta at “Base Nautica Flavio Gioia”;
• 20th September: purchase and rigging of former America’s Cup 12 Meter Class Yacht French Kiss”;
• 8th October: “French Kiss” wins the 12 Meter Class Challenge, first place in all regattas, during Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez with a mixed crew of sailors and physically disabled sailors;
• May 2007: presentation of the book “Argo. A modern story, beyond sailing” realized by the famous artist Roger Pfund;
• June: public show of French Kiss in the city center of Torino;
• August: the Minister of Youth and Sport Policies grants its support;
• September 2008: Argo Challenge, on board Atalanta II (owned by Carlo Puri Negri), gains first place ex-aequo in the Mini-Maxi ORC/IMS at the World Maxi Championship Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup;
• October 2008: Argo Challenge has been admitted as Challenger to the XXXIII America’s Cup in representation of Club Nautico Gaeta;
• World-wide media coverage: CNN, Rai, La7, RTL, TF1, TF3, Rete Globo, ESPN, Sport TV Brasil, Sky Sailing Channel, (see details). 9
Argo Challenge Sailing Team
Argo Challenge Sailing Team, in the spirit of the social message that wants to make known, will take part to the international sailing events of great importance and high technical level. Comparing, at the equal level, with the best team sailors and with the strongest world sailors aiming to reach the result that every great athlete hugs to obtain: victory.
On October 2006, aboard “French Kiss”, Argo Challenge Sailing Team won every single race thus claiming first plance at the “Les Voiles de Saint Tropez”.
On September 2008, aboard Atalanta II of Carlo Puri Negri, the Argo Challenge Sailing Team achieved first place ex-aequo in the Mini-Maxi, Class ORC/IMS at the Maxi Rolex Yacht Cup of Porto Cervo.
On October 2008, Argo Challenge has been admitted to the XXXIII America’s Cup.
The team consists in over twenty people, athletes and sailors being disabled or not of international importance who will make One vision, up an integrated and very high technical level crew. one value. On par, no barriers. wecanucan 11 The skipper: Lars Grael
Lars Grael, 49 years old, Brazilian. He was the first athlete who accepted Argo challenge. Today he is the man who symbolizes the project and a constant point of reference for the development of the sailing progress and communication.
Lars is a track star and a sailing legend. He is among the highest achievers in the sport.
Bronze medal at the Seoul Olympic Games, 1988 Bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games, 1996
He is an important person in Brazil, where he has had important political and managerial responsibilities. He was the president of FBVM (Federação Brasileira Vela e Motonautica). Although he suffered a bad accident during a sailing race in 1998, in which he lost his leg, he has gone on winning in the highest realms of world sailing, particularly in the Star Class, the Olympic class keelboat. Among his results:
1st - Brazilian Star Class Championship, 2002 1st - South American Star Class Championship, 2005 2nd - 12 Meters Class World Championship 2005 1st - “Benetti” Star Class International Trophy, 2006 1st -on French Kiss at “Les Voiles de Saint Tropez”, 2006 1st - South American Star Class Championship, January 2008 (beating among others, his brother Torben Grael, ex tactician of Luna Rossa Team and winner of 5 Olympic medals). 1st - Brazilian Star Class Championship World Championship, May 2008 1st - ex-aequo with Atalanta II at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup World Championship, in the Mini-Maxi ORC/IMS Class, September 2008 3rd - Star Class Championship World Championship, August 2009 4th - Star Class Championship World Championship, January 2010 1st - South American Star Class Championship, April 2011 12
Argo’s Expo
A place where everybody can understand that wecanucan is possible
The Argo Expo will demonstrate to the public, throughout the America's Cup venues, the possibilities for people with disabilities through exposure to the latest technology, social services, as well as educational and adaptive activities.
We believe that the Argo Challenge can present a perfect interactive platform for the general public to understand the technological advancements that disabled sailing has made while also delivering interactive clinics for young sailors and community based human interest content for the media. One vision, This expo-area will setup within the AC Village, in one value. a designated Argo Challenge camp. On par, no barriers. wecanucan 14
Argo Challenge Staff
Argo's team is composed of passionate people from all sorts of backgrounds.
The project has welcomed on board professionals sailors, engineers and executives and many other volunteers that work probono. Their motivation lies in the values promoted by the Argo project.
Experienced professionals come from almost all fields: marketing, organization of events, information technology, logistics, management, administration, nautical engineers, architects, nautical services experts, and obviously, athletes.
Nine founders and more than twenty volunteers form the permanent structure; this is the heart of the team that has given life to the spirit of Argo sharing an idea, a way of working and a strong passion both in the sail and in the sports for disabled.
Many others volunteers offer their liberal contribution during the organization and realization of individuals specific projects, 17 sporting activity and events.
Why to be with us
To associate your brand to a unique initiative for:
• Sport values • Social values • Strong innovation
To share the wecanucan values. To get national and international visibility with substantial press and media coverage for a 3-year period
One vision, one value. On par, no barriers. wecanucan 19
Thank you
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts the sails. (M. A. Ward)
Argo Challenge Tel +39.0121.74916 Fax +39.0121.74916 Mobile +39.320.4665677 [email protected]
One vision, one value. On par, no barriers. wecanucan 21