Chiavarini claims World Cup gold in Qingdao
by Lindsey Bell 21 Sep 2015 12:58 BST
14-20 September 2015
Great Britain's Lorenzo Chiavarini wins the Laser class at ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao © Daniel Smith
Rising Laser star Lorenzo Chiavarini sealed gold for Great Britain at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao, which drew to a close in the 2008 Olympic sailing city on Sunday (20 September).
The 21-year-old, a member of the British Sailing Team's Podium Potential squad, mastered the testing and tidal conditions at the eastern Chinese city over the four opening days of the series to head into the Laser medal race with an impressive 17 point lead.
The Scottish sailor admitted to some final day butterflies, but held his nerve to close out the victory. Sixth in the double-points finale was enough to beat Croatian world number three Tonci Stipanovic and Olympic silver medallist Pavlos Kontides to the top spot of the podium.
Chiavarini impressed at the Laser World Championships in July where he finished tenth. Qingdao victory has earned him an invitation to next month's ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi and a share of the US$150,000 total prize fund.
"My thoughts on how I did this week – really quite fantastic!" Chiavarini enthused.
"I wasn't expecting such speed and my decision making was really quite good. My starting, which has been my fall back, has now become one of my strengths within this event, so I'm really happy."
"The race track was a bit shorter compared to other days, so the gains were less as well. Tide was another big point of the day," said Chiavarini of the medal racing.
"For me it was important to keep Tonci around me and not let him get too far away. I was a bit nervous coming into the day, but once I got on the water I started calming down and chatting to the guys they were quite supportive.
"I'd never been to Qingdao before, this was my first time. The sailing area is really quite impressive, the event's been really well organised and the race committee's done a fantastic job."
Chiavarini's Podium Potential teammate Elliot Hanson finished fourth in the medal race to end his regatta in ninth overall.
In the Laser Radial class, Hannah Snellgrove finished 11th with Alison Young 13th, Podium Potential sailor Tom Squires finished 26th in the RS:X class.
For full results from the ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao, visit www.sailing.org/worldcup/results/index.php
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