
Windsurfers: Starboard wins Sport Positive Award 2024
Starboard receives the award in the “Climate Impact Reduction” category for outstanding environmental commitment to not only reducing its own negative impact on the climate but even influencing it positively.
The new Sport Positive Awards, in partnership with the International Olympic Committee, BBC Green Sports Awards and UN Global Climate Action, recognise those who are leading the way in using the power of sport to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time such as climate change, environmental justice and biodiversity loss.
There were some strong nominations in the Climate Impact Reduction category, such as the Ocean Race. However, the independent panel of experts, including prominent figures from UEFA, Formula E and the NBA, chose Starboard as the winner of the title. According to the panel, Starboard was recognised not only for its work on land restoration, marine conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also for its performance in positively impacting environmental goals.
From founding its own VERRA-certified beach cleanup and community support project, the Plastic Offset Program, to developing products from recycled materials, reducing packaging, and planting mangroves with Worldview International Foundation to sequester ten times its total corporate emissions, Starboard is demonstrating the power of both sport and business to make a positive impact.
Starboard CEO Svein Rasmussen explains the company’s motivation: “It’s about progress, ambition and sharing… We’ve proven that leading companies and even Olympic sports can have a positive impact on the planet.”
The founder is referring to Starboard’s collaboration with other sports organizations such as the Professional Windsurfing Association, the International Canoe Federation and World Sailing, but also as the developer and supplier of the iQFOiL Olympic Class.
The celebrations continued with the recognition of Amara Wichithong, who was recognized as a committed environmental activist and long-time partner of Starboard. Amara Wichithong was the first Thai woman to become world champion in windsurfing and has won over 200 titles. An inspirational environmental activist, she uses her position as a national icon to inspire others to join her in the fight against Thailand’s plastic pollution crisis.
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