Know the Sailors: Lorenzo Chiavarini

Lorenzo Chiavarini, BORN Rome, Italy, now lives Plymouth, UK. Highest SSL Ranking: VIP

At just 21 years of age, Lorenzo will be the youngest contestant at the SSL Finals in Nassau this December. Lorenzo is a member of the GBR Sailing Team and grew up sailing in Scotland. Racing in the Laser Class, Lorenzo won the Under 21 World Laser Championship in 2014 and the UK National Championship. This year he won his class at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Qingdao, China. Lorenzo is a rising star in the Laser Class; less than two years ago he was outside the top 100 ISAF ranked sailors but has progressed to 18^th in the ISAF World Sailing Rankings. Away from the Laser, Lorenzo is studying Maritime Science and Navigation at Plymouth University. This December, Lorenzo Chiavarini will be racing with the winning crew of the 2014 SSL Finals, Brian Fatih.

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SSL: If you weren’t a sportsperson, what would you be?

LC: I would be a pilot or a racing driver. Why? maybe the challenge, the speed.  

SSL: What is the greatest sacrifice you have had to make in order to achieve success?

LC: Sacrifices have been made by us all as a family, rather than just myself. To work to achieve success, is a choice also to not follow other life journeys, a choice of a dream.

SSL: What kind of a person makes you angry?

LC: Angry no, but bad drivers are annoying, e.g hogging the fast lane. As a sailor from Scotland we travelled most weekends to train and to compete, often journeys of over 1,000 miles, so I have spent a great deal of time driving, fortunately I love driving.

SSL: What kind of person makes you happy?

LC: A good sense of humour is precious, a smile, upbeat personalities.

SSL: What was is your favourite memory from sport?

LC: Many great sporting memories, one in particular comes to mind. In the 2005 Champions League (football), Liverpool were losing 3-0 against AC Milan in Istanbul. They fought back to win in penalties. Another example to never give up, it is not over “until the fat lady sings”.

LC: The highlights of the Louis Vuitton Cup on film, Luna Rossa was sailing against America 1, and qualified for the Final against New Zealand. I played the tape so often it disintegrated.

I am fortunate to sail with my idols, Torben Grael and Paul Cayard in the SSL.

SSL: If you could invite someone for dinner, who would you choose?

LC: Jamie Oliver (as chef), Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear, Will and Katie (Prince William & Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge), Coldplay (also after dinner entertainment).

SSL: Is there any specific technique you use when competing to help motivate yourself?

LC: I remain content, sail the course as well as possible, you make your own Good Luck.

SSL: How many Gold Medals or World Championships is ‘enough’?

LC: I AM Happy with achievements of Gold Medals achieved and of winning Championships, but I am always still working on the next one.

SSL: If you could have a super hero special power what would it be?

LC: A special power to transport yourself, beam you from one location to another, Starship Enterprise style….Great to beat airport and motorway queues.

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1-6 December 2015 – The third edition of the SSL Finals will take place in Nassau, Bahamas

All SSL events use a qualifying competition followed by a knock-out system. Teams take part in the qualifying rounds, which is a series of races over three days. The top 11 teams progress to the knock-out stage, which has four stages. In one-off races teams are eliminated, until just four teams remain to contest the final. The winner takes home a big slice of the $200,000 Prize Purse.

Watch all the action live from the Star Sailors League Final. With expert commentary from special studio guests. On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing. Armchair sailors can also join the race with Virtual Regatta.