British Sailing Team Laser sailor Sam Whaley has become the latest recipient of the Marlow Rope P3 Award marking a breakthrough year for the 22-year-old in 2018. 

Marlow Ropes works closely with the British Sailing Team and is committed to helping develop new talent by giving this award to a member of the P3 group; the Team’s Podium Potential Pathway sailors transitioning from Youth sailing into full-time training.  In order to win the award, the sailor must demonstrate their core values of passion and commitment to excellence. 

After taking up sailing relatively late at the age of 14, inspired by his father who sailed around the world, Whaley has progressed quickly through the British Sailing Team pathway displaying a determination and focus that has meant that he has quickly established himself as one of the best sailors of his age and earning a place in the British Sailing Team’s Laser P3 squad.

Whaley is a keen all round sailor, and as well as winning both the British Laser Nationals in August and Laser Inland National Championships in October 2018 he also earned a world title in the RS Aero and is regularly seen sailing his Waszp near his home in Swanage, spending as much time as possible on the water.

Leisure Marine Sales Director Paul Honess commented:

“Partnerships with our BST award winners are very important to us; we enjoy being able to help them progress in their sailing by rigging their boats with quality products and it is a great way for us to gain product feedback and insights.  These partnerships help all of us to be the best we can be. Sam has produced some outstanding performances over the last 12 months and we’re sure he’ll go from strength to strength so we are delighted to be working with him.”

Sam Whaley commented:

“It is a real honour to win the Marlow Ropes Award, following in the footsteps of some incredible sailors. While we don’t have many control lines on the Laser it still is incredibly important to make sure you have the very best rope to eek out every possible gain. I am delighted to become a Marlow Ropes ambassador and I’m especially excited to have the opportunity to help them continue developing the best ropes in the world.”

About Sam:

Born & spent most of his childhood living in landlocked Berkshire before, at the age of 11, his family decided to move down to Swanage, in Dorset. Sam then spent his teenage years growing up by the sea and after initially sailing for fun at his local sailing club, he soon got into racing and competed in his first national competition in 2011. His progression through the sport was swift and by 2012 he was representing his country at international events.

Since that moment he has been hooked on sailing and trains and competes nationally and internationally throughout the year. His relentless determination and focus has meant that he has quickly established himself as one of the best sailors of his age in the country.

As well as his passion for sailing Sam is also a very technical guy and was lucky enough to be selected to work at Microsoft UK aged just 18 years old. Working in a multi-national company of this scale gave him some incredible experiences which he will never forget.

Now turning to professional sailing, he has an unbreakable dream to represent Great Britain at the Olympic Games in the men’s Olympic singlehanded dinghy, the Laser.