Approximately 2,000 sailboats registered for the 48th edition of Barcolana, where around 60 athletes with an impairment participated in the regatta.

It provided a chance to discuss Para-sports both on the sea and in the mountains and saw the 2017 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships, due to be held in Tarvisio in Italy from January 22 to 31, introduced by chairperson Paolo Tavian. 

During a presentation, Tavian explained the type of eligible impairments of Para-Alpine skiers and how they are classified in IPC Alpine Skiing.

"In this huge event, which is a boat race that is very popular in Europe, it was nice to talk about the mountains," he said.

"The sea can give you extraordinary sensations, and I know it since I started and took adventures on boats.

"But being on the top of the mountain, watching the sunset on the horizon is just as beautiful and striking.

"The Barcolana race has become more accessible over the years and this is really important.

"For the 60 sailors with impairments competing, I bet that this will be an unforgettable experience for them and for their friends.

"We wish this will be the spirit that joins together the sea and the mountain, the Barcolana race and Tarvisio 2017.

"Accessibility can serve as a trade union on a bigger scale where social and educational visions are the most important."

Financial sponsor Federazione Banche di Credito Cooperativo del Friuli Venezia Giulia (BCC FVG) also explained why they are supporting the 2017 World Championships.

They spoke about school projects and the social importance of the Championships in terms of education and self-growth.

"We are glad that such event will be tied to the Progetto Scuola in order to let our school population know about Para-sports and its values," said Adriano Kovacic, a representative of BCC FVG, during a presentation.

"That experience will allow many people to notice in the persons with disabilities their potential and not their limits.

"We always consider the promotion of the social responsibility as a priority; the promotion of these events will represent a social project at regional level that is based on social integration and the promotion of values such as trust, support and solidarity."

Lega Navale Italiana hosted the Tarvisio 2017 Local Organising Committee during Barcolana, where Berti Bruss - a writer and radio commentator from Friuli in Italy - organised the move for accessibility.

Earlier this month, IPC Alpine Skiing made a "successful" site visit to the venue for its 2017 World Championships, which will be the last major competition ahead of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games.

Representatives of IPC Alpine Skiing visited the competition site to assess the facilities for athletes, teams, spectators and media, and also inspected the proposed courses.

Start positions for both the technical and speed races were reviewed, which overlook the picturesque Monte Lussari.