Lorenzo Chiavarini

Plymouth University sailor Lorenzo Chiavarini has been crowned the Under-21 Laser World Champion just one month after winning the European title.

The 11-race series, held over eight days, including just over one hundred competitors culminated in Douarnenez, France.

The BSc (Hons) Navigation and Maritime Sciences student and Sporting Excellence Scholar secured gold in a close final leg with a three point advantage against the Norwegian sailor Hermann Tomasgaard, with Peru’s Stegano Peschiera taking bronze. Lorenzo said: 

“I am delighted at the win, although it was a close call right up until the end. The Laser is probably the hardest fleet to race against with the biggest number of competitors internationally. It's a one-man boat, with one sail, and four or five controls to set the boat up for different conditions. I have also recently recovered from injury, but all my hard work, training and encouragement from my colleagues on the British Sailing Team have definitely paid off.”

Lorenzo, who has also previously won the British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) sailing competition, enjoys a tough challenge.


Lorenzo said:

"My ultimate goal has been to continue to represent Team GBR internationally in World and European Championships in the run up to the future Olympic Games so it’s great to have kept the momentum going achieving my third gold."
Lorenzo Chiavarini, Under-21 Laser World Champion

He was awarded his first gold in the European Under-19 championship in 2012 and his second in the European Under-21s in July this year. 

Lorenzo plans to continue training and competing in preparation for Rio 2016, with his next race – the senior ISAF Sailing World Championships at Santander – on 21 September.