More plastic than fish. That’s a scary thought
Isabella Bertold is always looking to the next challenge. A professional cyclist with InstaFund Racing and a professional sailor with the SailGP Canada team she knows what it means to put her head down and do the work.
It was while racing on the Olympic circuit for Rio that Isabella began to realize there were other challenges calling to her. “While preparing for Rio I realized just how bad pollution in our ocean was,” she says. “Everyday I would bike by water was just filled with millions of plastic pieces…as well as whole pieces of furniture, dolls, stuffed animals. Anything you can imagine it seemed. That was a wakeup call for me. That is really what changed my focus and thinking as an individual.”
TAKING ACTION
Wanting to do her part, Isabella decided that she would work with both her cycling and sailing teams to become carbon neutral. And, as strategist with SailGP Canada she’s set her sights on winning the Impact League with Ocean Wise as her Race for the Future partner. Together we’re
• Cutting the team’s dependence on unnecessary plastic,
• Raising awareness of the carbon offsetting opportunity of kelp forests, and
• Studying the presence and differences of microplastics worldwide.
But she is not stopping there.
To raise awareness of just how dire the issue of ocean pollution is, Isabella is riding 1100km in five days between Saint Tropez and Cadiz. Her ride, bookended by two SailGP events taking place in these two locations, will also fundraise in support of ocean conservation work at Ocean Wise.
THE TIME AND PLACE
Isabella will be racing the SailGP event in Saint Tropez, which takes place on September 10th and 11th. The morning of the 12th she will then set off on her ride in the direction of Cadiz. Though obviously an accomplished athlete, the types of daily distances she will have to cover will definitely be a challenge for Bertold. “I know 350km in one day may not be that long of a distance for some people, but all of these days are going to be my longest days ever on the bike!” Isabella said.
With a challenging week of riding before participating in the SailGP Cadiz event, Isabella is certain to have some pretty epic tan lines by the time she finishes. “Since SailGP teams act as the racers and the pit crew, we have to be there to take down and set everything up again at the next location,” Isabella explained.
THE AUCTION
“I figured that the challenge of riding between Saint Tropez and Cadiz could draw a lot of attention from both the cycling and the sailing community,” says Isabella. “Thinking that I’d like to put this attention to good use I connected with my friends at Factor bikes, SailGP and Ocean Wise to create a fundraiser.”
So, in the middle of planning two sailing races and an epic cycle tour Isabella pulled together an online auction at rideforetheocean.com, offering fans a chance to bid on a range of items including a custom Factor OSTRO Vam or one of five luxury dinners with world class chefs and Ocean Wise Seafood.
FIVE DINNERS IN FIVE CITIES
When approached with the opportunity to share their culinary skills to help protect the ocean five Ocean Wise Seafood partners raised their hands. Now, Isabella is able to offer five private luxury dinners available (one each in Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax, Cambridge and Montreal) with funds from each going to support Ocean Wise!
Bring the luxury of fine dining to the intimacy and comfort of your home with this private dining experience. One of the Chefs will cook an exquisite meal in YOUR HOME for up to 6 guests. Learn more and bid at ridefortheocean.com.
Reference
https://ocean.org/action/ride-for-the-future-1100-km-for-the-ocean/
It was while racing on the Olympic circuit for Rio that Isabella began to realize there were other challenges calling to her. “While preparing for Rio I realized just how bad pollution in our ocean was,” she says. “Everyday I would bike by water was just filled with millions of plastic pieces…as well as whole pieces of furniture, dolls, stuffed animals. Anything you can imagine it seemed. That was a wakeup call for me. That is really what changed my focus and thinking as an individual.”
TAKING ACTION
Wanting to do her part, Isabella decided that she would work with both her cycling and sailing teams to become carbon neutral. And, as strategist with SailGP Canada she’s set her sights on winning the Impact League with Ocean Wise as her Race for the Future partner. Together we’re
• Cutting the team’s dependence on unnecessary plastic,
• Raising awareness of the carbon offsetting opportunity of kelp forests, and
• Studying the presence and differences of microplastics worldwide.
But she is not stopping there.
To raise awareness of just how dire the issue of ocean pollution is, Isabella is riding 1100km in five days between Saint Tropez and Cadiz. Her ride, bookended by two SailGP events taking place in these two locations, will also fundraise in support of ocean conservation work at Ocean Wise.
THE TIME AND PLACE
Isabella will be racing the SailGP event in Saint Tropez, which takes place on September 10th and 11th. The morning of the 12th she will then set off on her ride in the direction of Cadiz. Though obviously an accomplished athlete, the types of daily distances she will have to cover will definitely be a challenge for Bertold. “I know 350km in one day may not be that long of a distance for some people, but all of these days are going to be my longest days ever on the bike!” Isabella said.
With a challenging week of riding before participating in the SailGP Cadiz event, Isabella is certain to have some pretty epic tan lines by the time she finishes. “Since SailGP teams act as the racers and the pit crew, we have to be there to take down and set everything up again at the next location,” Isabella explained.
THE AUCTION
“I figured that the challenge of riding between Saint Tropez and Cadiz could draw a lot of attention from both the cycling and the sailing community,” says Isabella. “Thinking that I’d like to put this attention to good use I connected with my friends at Factor bikes, SailGP and Ocean Wise to create a fundraiser.”
So, in the middle of planning two sailing races and an epic cycle tour Isabella pulled together an online auction at rideforetheocean.com, offering fans a chance to bid on a range of items including a custom Factor OSTRO Vam or one of five luxury dinners with world class chefs and Ocean Wise Seafood.
FIVE DINNERS IN FIVE CITIES
When approached with the opportunity to share their culinary skills to help protect the ocean five Ocean Wise Seafood partners raised their hands. Now, Isabella is able to offer five private luxury dinners available (one each in Calgary, Vancouver, Halifax, Cambridge and Montreal) with funds from each going to support Ocean Wise!
Bring the luxury of fine dining to the intimacy and comfort of your home with this private dining experience. One of the Chefs will cook an exquisite meal in YOUR HOME for up to 6 guests. Learn more and bid at ridefortheocean.com.
Reference
https://ocean.org/action/ride-for-the-future-1100-km-for-the-ocean/
