Helena Lucas wins the Maxi European Championship aboard Fra Diavolo, flying flag for Argo Challenge

Helena Lucas wins the Maxi European Championship aboard Fra Diavolo, flying the flag for Argo Challenge © Argo Challenge

A triumph blending international offshore sailing excellence with a profound message of social inclusion highlighted the event just concluded in the waters of Sorrento.

The racing venue saw multi-medalist Paralympic sailor Helena Lucas claim the title of Maxi European Champion aboard the yacht Fra Diavolo.

The British athlete took part in the competition as a proud representative of Argo Challenge. This ambitious international inclusive sailing project was founded in 2006 by Antonio Spinelli with a clear mission: to break down barriers in sports and bring a crew composed of sailors with disabilities to compete in the pinnacle of world yachting, the America's Cup.

Seamlessly integrated into this global challenge, an enthusiastic Helena Lucas highlighted the significance of the achievement at the end of the regattas:

"It has been an absolute pleasure to be here competing and representing a project I believe in so deeply. I truly hope to see it come to fruition, reaching the point where crews of people with disabilities can compete at the very highest level of sailing. I am incredibly happy to be on board with Argo Challenge."

The team's journey toward the America's Cup is built on solid partnerships, chief among them the Yacht Club Gaeta, which has actively supported the challenge since its inception.

Vincenzo Addessi, owner of Fra Diavolo and President of the Yacht Club Gaeta, reaffirmed this strong institutional and emotional bond:

"From the very beginning, both I personally and the Yacht Club Gaeta have supported the Argo project. It embodies a powerful message, and it is something we would all love to see fully realized."

Closing this day of celebration and charting the course for the future, Andrea Tamagnone, President of the ideaArgo Association, expressed his great satisfaction:

"It feels wonderful to be back on the water, and it's beautiful to see Argo continue to pursue its dream. The interest being shown by the organizers of the next America's Cup is certainly a huge help. Therefore, this time after more than twenty years—we hope to write a unique and historic chapter in sailing, in sports, and beyond."