At 18, Gustavo Kiessling begins a new stage in his sailing career at the ILCA 7 World Championship, from 23 to 30 August in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland. The sailor from São Paulo flies out on Sunday to represent Brazil at the class's main event of the season.
Gustavo Kiessling is part of the Olympic Sailing Team Project and completed his preparation for the Worlds with training blocks in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre. He arrives in Ireland on the 17th and will have six days of acclimatisation and training before racing begins.
The Olympic Sailing Team Project is run by Instituto Bons Ventos, with sponsorship from Grupo Energisa, Icatu Vanguarda and OceanPact through Brazil's Federal Sports Incentive Law. The project brings together athletes from different classes within the planning for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Alongside Gustavo Kiessling, the group includes Bruno Lobo and Lucas Fonseca (Formula Kite), Mateus Isaac (iQFOiL), Valentina Roma (ILCA 6) and Bernardo Peixoto and Marina Arndt (Nacra 17).
"Everything is set. I finished the training blocks in Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre, and the preparation for the Worlds was very good. I fly out on the 16th, arrive in Ireland on the evening of the 17th and will have plenty of time to train before the competition starts. I am ready to represent Brazil in the best possible way," said the Iate Clube de Brasília athlete.
In Ireland, Gustavo Kiessling will have four other Brazilians in the ILCA 7 fleet: Antonio Rosa, Philipp Grochtmann, Mathias Reimer and Frederico Francavilla. Valentina Roma Victor de Araújo and Ana Carolina Roth will represent Brazil in the ILCA 6.
The Worlds also open an international run for Brazilian sailing. From 4 to 12 September, Mateus Isaac and Guilherme Plentz will contest the iQFOiL World Championship in Weymouth, England.
Gustavo Kiessling started sailing at nine and went on to feature among the country's youth sailing athletes. Joining the Olympic Team Project widens the structure available for preparation, training and competition during the cycle.
"The importance of joining this institute, Bons Ventos, the Olympic Team, is really about showing how dedicated I am. It is an honour to be part of this group. I have been in the sport since I was nine and, almost ten years later, earning this opportunity means a great deal to me. It is also very special to be alongside incredible athletes, representing the confederation and representing Brazil. I think any athlete in my position would feel honoured by what this means."
Gustavo Kiessling's schedule continues after the competition in Ireland. The calendar includes the Copa Brasil and the Brazilian Championship, which doubles as the Pan American Games trial, plus the pursuit of a place at the Worlds in Fortaleza and other international events of the season.
About Instituto Bons Ventos
Instituto Bons Ventos is an organisation dedicated to developing sport through specialised project management, running competitions and supporting athletes' careers. Founded by Olympic athletes, Pan American medallists, world champions, sports managers and business people from the sector, the institute works to turn sport into a tool for social development.
The organisation has expertise in structuring and enabling sporting initiatives through tax incentive mechanisms, with command of the Federal Sports Incentive Law (Law 11.438/2006) and related state and municipal legislation.
With proven proficiency across every stage of the cycle, from raising funds in the market to delivery and accountability, Instituto Bons Ventos seeks to create opportunities for athletes, widen access to sport and help shape new generations both inside and outside competition.
By: Redação Mundo Mar
Photo: Acervo pessoal
