Homerus focuses on encouraging blind sailors around the world to learn unaccompanied sailing. At the same time, the association is involved in different cultural and social areas at the national and international level.
Founder Alessandro Gaoso ended his athletic career as a 9-time Italian champion and two-time world champion in the Mini-Ton Cup racing class, and initiated the Homerus project in 1996. The project is based on his vision and the belief in the skills of the blind sailors. In Alessandro Gaoso’s opinion, they just needed tailor-made teaching methods to sail unescorted. His very successful blind sailing crews have proved him right in the past years – even in match races. Audiences are amazed and surprised when they watch them.
Thanks to the two-colored sails (top antique brown and white below) and the eye-catching Homerus logo, a blind sailor’s boat can be directly identified. For regattas and match races, a blind sailor is supported by acoustic signals so other boats and buoyage can be identified.
The first Homerus project was created in 1996 on Lake Garda and expanded quickly. More than 200 blind sailors from all over Italy have been trained up til now. Homerus is now represented in 12 locations in the country. In addition, Australia, Israel, Japan, England, America, New Zealand, Canada, Finland, France, Spain and Switzerland have adopted the training method and Homerus has initiated various national and world championships.
Objectives of the project:
– to be an example of sports without borders
– to encourage blind sailors to believe in their abilities
– to promote and educate blind sailors
– to give rise to blind crews on every continent
– to convey the Homerus method to sailing teachers around the world
Homerus Activities:
1997 National Championship in Gargnano, Italy
1998 National Championship in Caldonazzo Lake, Italy
2000 National Championship in Dervio, Italy
2001 National Championship in Porto Tolle – Delta del Po, Italy
National Championship in Salò, Italy
2002 National Championship in Campione del Garda, Italy
International Championship in Dervio, Italy
2003 National Championship in Genova, Italy
International Championship in Auckland, Australia
2004 National Championship in Rimini, Italy
2005 National Championship in Trieste, Italy
International Championship in Imperia, Italy
2006 National Championship in Sulzano, Italy
International Championship in Imperia, Italy
2007 National Championship in Desenzano, Italy
International Championship in Palermo, Itay
2008 National Championship in Bilancino – Mugello, Italy
International Championship in Sulzano – Lago d’Iseo, Italy
2009 World Championship IFDS, New Zeland
National Championship in Trasimeno, Italy
2010 I° World Championship IFDS Homerus Methode in Bogliaco, Italy
2011 World Championship IFDS, Australia
National Championship Open in Salò, Italy
2012 International Championship IFDS in Lover e, Italy
2013 National Championship in La Spezia, Italy
2014 Homerus Invitational Match Racing Championship in La Spezia, Italy
IFDS Blind Match Racing World Championship, Sheboygan, WI USA
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