Portimão plans to build on World Sailing Inclusion Championships with new training centre
by World Sailing 14 Oct 17:35 BST
2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portimão, Portugal © Gonçalo Melo Reis
Racing at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships may have concluded in Portimão, Portugal, but plans for a new Para Inclusive Sailing Training and Development Centre in the city look set to provide a lasting legacy for the sport.
Following six days of competition across nine events, the World Sailing Inclusion Championships brought together sailors from 40 nations around the world, demonstrating the depth of talent, competitive standards and growing international reach of Para Inclusive sailing.
World Sailing CEO David Graham highlighted the importance of the event, both in terms of competition and the continued development of the sport.
"This week was about breaking barriers, building lifelong friendships, and proving to the world that sailing is a sport where everyone belongs," he said.
"This event builds on the legacy created at the inaugural event last year and raises the bar even higher for next year."
A part of that legacy will be the establishment of a new international Training and Development Centre at Portimão Marina, developed by Associação Vela Solidária, which co-organised the World Sailing Inclusion Championships alongside World Sailing.
The centre is scheduled to begin operations in November 2026, with full activities planned from January 2027. It aims to provide year-round training opportunities for Para and Inclusive sailors, with a particular focus on supporting international teams during the European winter.
Portimão's climate, sailing conditions and accessible infrastructure make it well suited to hosting extended training camps, offering athletes and coaches a consistent base for preparation and development.
"We want to offer the world, and particularly European sailors who are unable to sail in their home countries during the winter, the opportunity to come to Portimão and benefit from unique conditions in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, sailing waters and climate," said Luís Brito, President of Vela Solidária.
"Here, it is possible to sail every day of the year. We want to position Portimão as the global epicentre of Para and Inclusive sailing."
The centre is expected to undergo a World Sailing certification process to assess its facilities and operations against the relevant standards for Para Inclusive Sailing.
International interest is already established, with Switzerland, Norway, France and Austria among the countries with agreements with the host for winter training camps.
The project will also benefit Portuguese sailors, providing opportunities to train and compete alongside international athletes without the cost and logistical demands of travelling overseas.
Alongside the centre, Vela Solidária is developing a Winter Circuit comprising a series of races intended to support athlete development and preparation for major international competitions.
Together, the two initiatives aim to provide more regular access to training and racing, helping athletes and national programmes build experience and improve performance.
This focus on sustained international activity is particularly relevant to World Sailing's wider ambitions for Para Sailing, including its campaign for reinstatement in the Paralympic Games programme.
Expanding participation, strengthening international competition and developing opportunities for athletes remain important priorities.
The development of the Portimão centre is also an example of how major events can support longer-term investment in the sport. Rather than relying solely on the impact of a single championship, the project aims to establish facilities and programmes that will continue to serve athletes, coaches and national teams throughout the year.
The 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships were organised by World Sailing and Vela Solidária, in partnership with the Portuguese Sailing Federation and the Municipality of Portimão and with backing from the America's Cup.