The world tour of “Lo Spirito di Stella,” which will land in Miami on Wednesday, Jan. 31, continues. Also in attendance will be Italian sailor Andrea Stella, founder of the non-profit organization "Lo Spirito di Stella."

The initiative is being held as part of the "WoW" Project - Wheels on Waves - Around The World 2023-2025: the Around The World Tour aboard the fully accessible, 18-meter-long catamaran, aimed at a select audience of military personnel and civilians with disabilities who have sustained permanent injuries in the performance of duty, who, regardless of their physical, cognitive or sensory characteristics, will have the opportunity to live a wonderful and unique experience of sea and sailing.

The event will be attended by, among others: the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Senator Isabella Rauti; the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Army Chief of Staff General Carmine Masiello; Michele Mistò, Consul General of Italy in Miami; General Maurizio Cantiello, Attaché for Italian Defense in Washington; all U.S. veterans associations (DAV Disabled American Veterans, U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veteran Coalition International (VCI), Navy League of the United States, U.S. Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, President Navy Shake-A-Leg); the association "Lo Spirito di Stella," UNUCI (National Union of Officers on Leave of Italy) and U.S. civil and military authorities. Also present were Italian companies and firms operating in Miami.

"The Spirit of Stella" is designed to ensure inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities. In particular, the Italian Armed Forces are participating in the initiative with athletes belonging to the Defense Paralympic Sports Group (GSPD), allowing them to live a unique sea and sailing experience.

The project was strongly supported by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and promoted by the Ministry of Defense, the Defense General Staff and Difesa Servizi Spa, the in-house company of the Ministry. The initiative has obtained the Moral Patronage of CONI and CIP (Italian Paralympic Committee) and is also made possible thanks to the important contribution of sponsors who fully shared the objectives and the very high moral and ethical values of the initiative.

After departing from Genoa, port stops in Malaga and Tenerife, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and a brief stop in Sint Maarten, the catamaran landed in Miami. Thanks to live tracking, anyone can follow the itinerary in real time. The feat is intended to be an important contribution to the defense of the rights of people with disabilities, starting with forms of sports inclusion, labor and social integration, and is meant to be a tangible message of appreciation and recognition to the military and civilian personnel of all Italian and foreign Armed Forces committed to the protection of peace and collective stability.