Please select your home edition
Edition
Noble Marine 2022 SW - LEADERBOARD

Record number of entries take to water in the 2023 Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy

by Mirpuri Foundation 10 Jul 2023 16:25 UTC 7-9 July 2023
2023 Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy © Mirpuri Foundation

A record number of entries across six sailing classes took to the water in Cascais, Portugal, for three days of racing over the weekend of 7-9 July.

  • Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team wins the perpetual trophy for a third time.
  • Six hundred sailors and a record number of entries race across six classes in the fourth edition of the popular regatta in Cascais, Portugal.
  • Snipe South European Championship crowns their 2023 champion.
  • The sustainability-focused regatta is named a UNESCO Ocean Decade event.
  • Mirpuri Foundation and the International Coral Reef Initiative present the Ocean Award for innovation in ocean health.

Recognised by UNESCO as an Ocean Decade event for the regatta's work to promote and raise funds for ocean health initiatives, the event is becoming known as one of the highlights of the European summer sailing calendar and a signature event for the city of Cascais and the organisers Clube Naval de Cascais.

Established in 2020 to help raise important funds for marine conservation, the entry fees for the sustainability-focused regatta are donated to ocean health projects by the event's founder, the Mirpuri Foundation.

One hundred and seventy-one boats across six classes competed in the event held in the bay of Cascais, a popular European tourist destination considered the Riviera of Portugal and renowned for its reliable north westerly breeze that fills the bay in summer.

Action in the three-day regatta got under way on Friday 7th of July when the Snipe South European Championship took to the water on the first day of racing. Belgium duo Manu Hens and Alexandre Tinoco dominated all but one race and were crowned champions on Sunday after their strong performance over the weekend.

On Saturday 8th of July the full fleet of six hundred sailors across all classes lined up for two days of racing and were supported by the Marinha Portuguesa vessel NMP, which fired the ceremonial start cannon from its deck at 12:30 local time.

The expected northwesterly breeze arrived as predicted and filled the race course with twelve to fifteen knots, perfect conditions for boat racing.

In the premier cruising category, two classes competed for both the perpetual trophy for line honours, as well as four divisional titles based on corrected time.

In the line honours race it was a battle between the two giants of the fleet, the impressive 106ft superyacht "Green Eyes" and the Cascais-based professional outfit the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team, competing onboard their thoroughbred VO65 "Racing for the Planet". Skippered by three-time Portuguese Olympian Diogo Cayolla, the professionals fought hard to take line honours on both days and secured the impressive Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy itself for the third time.

Diogo Cayolla, skipper of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team commented: "The team did an amazing job in both races this weekend and didn't miss a beat. I'm pleased we were able to secure the line honours and continue the team's winning legacy in our home regatta."

In the hotly contested corrected time race "Syone Panther" took home the top prize in the ORC division, while "2Hot2Handle" won the ORC B.

In the NHC division "Gurosan/Pedemar" took first place and "Barba Rija" was classified the fastest on corrected time in the NHC mini division.

In the former Olympic Finn class, Filipe Silva's dominant performance saw him win all six races, while Tiago Morais took victory in the SB20 dinghy class.

The popular junior Optimist class with over seventy boats competing, was won by Diogo Reis. Karolina Leite took first place in the girl's division and Luisa Neumann won the under-12 category.

In addition to the competitive awards, the Mirpuri Foundation Ocean Award in partnership with ICRI, the International Coral Reef Initiative, was awarded to Tamara Stuij for her work on the potential of humic substances to improve coral reef resilience. The prize is designed to provide the opportunity to receive global recognition and gain exposure for their exemplary environmental work.

Paulo Mirpuri, Chairman of the Mirpuri Foundation, said after the event: "This year's event was undoubtedly one of the best yet both on and off the water. The racing was close and exciting across all the classes and having the Snipe South European Championship decided here was an event highlight. In addition, having a record number of entries also means increased funding for our beneficiaries in ocean sustainability."

The 2024 edition of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy will take place on the 6th and 7th of July 2024 in Cascais, Portugal.

Related Articles

Discover Barton Marine's 2025 Launches
An all-new outdoor stand location at the Southampton International Boat Show Find Barton Marine at The Southampton International Boat Show 2025 alongside UK distribution partner E.P. Barrus on stands W030/032. With the show layout changes, the all-new outdoor stand location will be displaying a wide selection of deck hardware. Posted today at 11:00 am
Art Explora Festival Piraeus stopover programme
The museum boat will sail to Greece for the very first time Featuring headliners Adonis Foniadakis, Lenio Kaklea, Sofia Mavragani, Manolis Pappos, Panos Charalambous and Kyriakos Kalaitzidis & En Chordais. Posted on 15 Sep
Step onboard with Ancasta in Southampton
The Southampton Boat Show opens on Friday Join Ancasta at the Southampton International Boat Show from (19 - 28 September) for an unforgettable experience exploring some of the most exciting yachts on the water today. Posted on 15 Sep
Recycled. Reborn. Ready for Adventure.
Henri-Lloyd transforming marine waste into purpose-built performance Crafted from NetPlus ripstop with midweight Repreve insulation that delivers incredible warm. Built for coastal weather, shifting winds, and the rhythm of the sea. Transforming marine waste into purpose-built performance. Posted on 14 Sep
Breaking Barriers in a Melting Arctic
First British Woman Solos Northwest Passage British sailor Ella Hibber, 28, has arrived in Nome, Alaska, becoming the first British woman to sail solo through the fabled Northwest Passage. Posted on 14 Sep
Boat Buying Basics
Melanie earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before her car license Melanie Sunshine Neale earned her US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master Captain's License before she got her driver's license. She grew up living aboard her family's 47-foot GulfStar sailboat, cruising up and down the East Coast and the Bahamas for 20 years. Posted on 13 Sep
Sailing roles available in Dubai
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club is recruiting! Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC), one of the Middle East's most established and internationally recognised Sailing Clubs, is inviting applications for the role of Racing and Events Manager, and RYA Cruising Instructor. Posted on 13 Sep
2026 Cruising Almanac launched
The indispensable companion for sailors cruising Northwest European waters The Cruising Association (CA), in partnership with Imray, is proud to announce the release of the 2026 edition of its renowned Cruising Almanac - the indispensable companion for sailors cruising Northwest European waters. Posted on 13 Sep
Aquila expands into sailing catamarans
Leaning into sailing roots to deliver new sailing catamarans with hybrid propulsion Aquila, the premier manufacturer of power catamarans, has announced its expansion into the sailing catamaran market with the introduction of three new models: the Aquila 44ES, 50ES, and 63ES sailing catamarans. Posted on 13 Sep
The RYA 150 Podcast launched
150 years. 12 Episodes. One remarkable community. As part of its 150th Anniversary celebrations, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is launching a brand-new 12-part podcast series with the first episode live on Tuesday 23 September. Posted on 11 Sep
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignPantaenius 2022 - SAIL & POWER 2 FOOTER ROWHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range