THE OLYMPIC SAILOR AND THE OCEAN RACE EUROPE WINNER BERNARDO FREITAS TO SKIPPER RACING FOR THE PLANET IN THE MIRPURI FOUNDATION SAILING TROPHY 2024
Lisbon– The Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team announces that former team watch captain Bernardo Freitas (POR) will lead the Team in the 2024 edition of The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy, in July.
A previous The Ocean Race sailor and winner of The Ocean Race Europe, Bernardo Freitas has been an integral part of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team since its inception in 2019 and will now step up to the role of skipper.
Bernardo Freitas brings a career of ocean racing experience to the helm of the Racing for the Planet VO65. In 2017, he joined the Turn the Tide on Plastic crew in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 edition, the ultimate test of a team in sports. The 34-year-old sailing star, who represented Portugal at the London Olympics in 2012, joined the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team in 2019 and raced in all the races the team participated in, including The Ocean Race 2023 and The Ocean Race Europe 2021, claiming victory.
Bernardo Freitas said, “To skipper the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team fills me with joy and pride. It’s not just about leading the team; it’s about embracing the responsibility to steer towards a future where our passion for sailing blends with our commitment to sustainability.”
Paulo Mirpuri, President of the Mirpuri Foundation, said, “I have worked with Bernardo for many years and seen his amazing evolution since he was part of our Turn The Tide On Plastic team in the Volvo Ocean Race. I am confident he is up to this challenge and look forward to seeing how he embraces his new role as the skipper. He is one of the best young talents yet to skipper a VO65.”
The first of two days of racing across seven classes in the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy will be on July 6th. The full crew joining Bernardo Freitas onboard for the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy will be announced shortly.
BERNARDO FREITAS
Bernardo Freitas is a professional Portuguese sailor who has competed in some of the most significant international sailing events, including representing his country at the Olympic Games.
Bernardo Freitas started sailing at eight and became a national champion in multiple sailing classes, including the Optimist, the 420 and the SB20. Since an early age, the young athlete has had two dreams: participating in the Volvo Ocean Race and the Olympic Games. He accomplished both.
In 2012, he represented Portugal in the London Olympics, reaching an honourable 8th place and earning an Olympic Diploma. In 2017-18, he took part in the Volvo Ocean Race as a member of the Mirpuri Foundation-founded team Turn The Tide on Plastic, for which he was honoured by The President of Portugal.
The Portuguese sailor has also participated in some of the most important global competitions, such as the World Match Racing Tour, the Extreme Sailing Series, and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, winning a Bronze medal, which was a historic event for Portugal.
Bernardo has been a member of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team since its inception, and in 2021, he was part of the crew that won The Ocean Race Europe.
In 2023, he was the first Portuguese sailor to compete in the famous race Sail GP for the Spanish Team
Sailing Career Highlights
Sail GP 2023 – Spanish Team
The Ocean Race 2022/2023- Sailor in the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team
The Ocean Race Europe 2021- Sailor in the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team (Winner)
Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18 – Sailor in the Turn The Tide on Plastic Team
Youth Americas Cup 2013 – Sailor in ROFF Cascais Sailing Team
London Olympic Games 2012 – Representing Portugal in the 49er class
Top Results
1st Sail GP Bermuda
1st Sail GP Los Angeles
1st The Ocean Race Europe 2021
1st Congressional Cup 2023
1st Congressional Cup 2024
1st Dragon EuroCup Final
1st J70 Mexican Nationals
1st J70 Midwinters
1st J70 Nationals
1st Dragon Gold Cup
1st Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy
2nd ORC World Championship
2nd Sail GP Saint Tropez
2nd ORC Worlds
2nd J70 European Championship
2nd 6-meter World Championship
3rd Sail GP Abu Dhabi
3rd Match Racing European Championship
3rd Red Bull Youth Americas Cup
About Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy: www.mirpurisailingtrophy.com
