Australian Sailing Team joins forces with rope manufacturer Liros

by Craig Heydon / Yachting Australia on 1 Apr 2010 The Australian Sailing Team has signed a new sponsorship agreement with leading rope manufacturer Liros which will see the team's boats fitted out with the German brand until 2012.

The deal extends across both Olympic and Paralympic class boats and with Australian Sailing Team crews competing at regattas across the globe the Liros brand will spread with the team.

Yachting Australia High Performance Director Peter Conde said that the sponsorship agreement with Liros was a boost for the team as they head into a crucial period in the lead up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.

'We're thrilled to welcome Liros to the Australian Sailing Team and look forward to working closely with them over the next few years,' said Mr Conde. 'It's no secret that rope is an important component of our sport and as the competition heats up with our athletes competing in a number of World Championship and World Cup events around the world we need to look for any advantage possible.'

'The Liros brand is well known around the world and the Australian Sailing Team crews have assessed the product very favourably. They are keen to fit out their boats with the latest range of product,' said Mr Conde.

Liros is represented in Australia by Robyn, Philip and Melissa Yeomans of DeckHardware. The Sydney-based family is heavily involved in sailing, with Melissa having sailed with, and against, many Australian Sailing Team members over the years.

'Our family has strong ties with sailing in Australia and we're very happy to see that continue with the sponsorship of the Australian Sailing Team and the Australian Women's Match Racing Team,' said Robyn. 'We're also heavily involved with Middle Harbour Yacht Club and are very excited that the National Dinghy Training Centre is being developed at the club as we spend so much time there.'

'We've had a lot to do with members of the Australian Sailing Team both on and off the water and when it was suggested that we look at sponsoring the team we couldn't say no,' she said. 'With the help of Liros in Germany we've been able to come to an arrangement that will see the Australian Sailing Team use our products until the end of 2012.'

'Liros have a large range of quality rope and are about to come out with some incredible SK90 product of which we have just received our first samples,' said Robyn. 'Liros is now recognised as a world leader in the manufacture of hi-tech yachting ropes, kite surf cords, paragliding lines and a wide range of industrial cordage.'

Liros has a modern factory in Lichtenberg, Germany, having invested heavily in new machinery which is calibrated to give both top quality and consistent quality. All of the Liros production is carefully monitored by experienced technicians during every stage of manufacture to ensure complete satisfaction in the most demanding applications.

Melissa Yeomans spent time at the factory in 2008 to observe the manufacturing process and was able to watch their testing and splicing departments first hand.

For more information on the Liros range visit www.deckhardware.com.au/liros

www.australiansailingteam.com.au