Bernardo Freitas – Skipper Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025

Bernardo Freitas is one of Portugal’s most accomplished and versatile sailors, known for making history on the world stage.

Starting his sailing journey at just eight years old, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming national champion in several classes, including Optimist, 420, and SB20.

Driven by two lifelong dreams—to compete in the Olympic Games and the Volvo Ocean Race—Bernardo has impressively achieved both. He represented Portugal at the London 2012 Olympics, finishing 8th and earning an Olympic Diploma. In 2017–18, he raced in the Volvo Ocean Race with the Mirpuri Foundation’s Turn The Tide on Plastic team, an achievement recognized by the President of Portugal.

He has competed at the highest level in events such as the World Match Racing Tour, the Extreme Sailing Series, and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, where he earned a historic Bronze medal for Portugal.

A longtime member of the Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team, Bernardo played a key role in their victory at The Ocean Race Europe in 2021. In 2024, he was named skipper of the team, marking a new leadership chapter in his career.

That same year, he became M32 Vice-World Champion and capped off a remarkable season by helping the Spanish team win the 2024 SailGP Championship—after becoming the first Portuguese sailor to compete in the series in 2023.

With a career defined by leadership, perseverance, and groundbreaking achievements, Bernardo Freitas continues to chart a bold course for the future of Portuguese sailing.