Having just returned from the Santander ISAF Sailing World Championships with his best ever result from a senior World Championship, Lorenzo Chiavarini has been handed an extra boost to his flourishing campaign after been awarded the coveted Marlow Ropes Award. The Marlow Ropes Award was introduced in 2002 with the aim of rewarding Britain’s most promising young sailors for their determination, focus and talent. The 20-year-old from Argyll has had an impressive year in the Laser class despite suffering from a season-threatening wrist break back in March. With the help of the British Sailing Team sport science staff, the Plymouth University student was soon back out on the water and wasted no time in claiming an emphatic victory at the Under 21 Laser European Championships in Torbole, Italy, by a staggering 24-point margin. Chiavarini then followed this up with back to back victories by claiming the under 21 Laser World Championship title in Douarnenez, France. With a spring in his step and as one of the British Sailing Team’s most promising young talents, the under 21 Laser World and European Champion scored his best result at a senior World Championship – finishing 11th in Santander– narrowly missing the cut for the medal race by just one point. “It is a very prestigious award to win within the British Sailing Team and it is a fantastic achievement after such a great year,” said Chiavarini. The Marlow award entitles the British Sailing Team Podium Potential sailor to free Marlow rope for a year, which Chiavarini says will be invaluable as he prepares for another successful season. “It is fantastic to have the Marlow team behind for next year’s racing. The Laser is a one design class so having the best rope and equipment can really make the difference.” Barrie Edgington, British Sailing Team Podium Potential Squad Manager, commented: “Lorenzo has had a great season. To win back to back gold medals at a U21 World and European Championships is in itself a fantastic achievement, but to do it in a season in which he suffered a relatively serious injury shows real character, so hats off to him for bouncing back.” “His performance at the ISAF Sailing World Championships was also one to be admired, he sailed a great series and to finish only one point of the medal race was a great way to round off a stellar season for Lorenzo in the Laser class.” “The Marlow Ropes Award is a prestigious award within the British camp with past winners going on to achieve great success in the sport of sailing. I am looking forward to seeing Lorenzo continue to develop and fully utilise the help and support from Marlow Ropes in order to help him achieve his goals in 2015.” VIDEO: Marlow Ropes Award boost for British sailor Chiavarini For further information on Marlow Ropes including the oldest products and technical information visit www.marlowropes.com. Matt Carter RYA Racing Communications Officer Editors note: The British Sailing Team in the Olympic and Paralympic Classes is managed by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) The RYA is the national governing body for all forms of sailing, windsurfing, and powerboat racing, and is recognised by all government offices as being the negotiating body for the activities it represents. It continually fights for the rights and freedoms of its 102,000 personal members, the majority of whom choose to go afloat for purely recreational non-competitive pleasure on coastal and inland waters. It represents a further estimated 500,000 boat owners nationally through its 1600 affiliated clubs and boat owner associations. Olympic and Youth sailing is a beneficiary of the Lottery funded World Class Programmes (WCP) and administered by the Sports Councils. The Programmes focus on performance sport with the aim of achieving sporting excellence on the world stage. Further information can be found on the UK Sport website at www.uksport.gov.uk and Sport England’s website at www.sportengland.org. Further information can be found at www.rya.org.uk Volvo and Sailing Volvo began its global association with sailing in 1997, since then Volvo Car UK has sponsored sailing in the UK from the grass roots to the elite pinnacle of the sport. They have developed a sponsorship portfolio that includes Team Volvo, silver level sponsor of the British Sailing Team, RYA Volvo Team GBR, the Volvo Gill Optimist Championships, RS Class Associations and are the Official Car supplier to Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. All the UK sponsorships support the pinnacle of Volvo’s global sponsorship, The Volvo Ocean Race.