DeckHardware and LIROS Ropes extend partnership with Australian Sailing

Author: Australian Sailing   Date Posted:15 February 2021 

Australian Sailing is proud to announce the renewal of our partnership with DeckHardware and LIROS Ropes for another four years.

The renewal sees DeckHardware and LIROS Ropes continue their relationship with the Australian Sailing Team (AST) as our category supplier in to a second decade, with the two teams initially joining forces in 2010.

The agreement will see DeckHardware fitting the Australian boats with LIROS Ropes for both the upcoming Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Robyn and Philip Yeomans together with their daughter Mel run DeckHardware, a sailing and marine distribution business out of Brookvale in Sydney.

“Working with the team had been a joy,” Philip said. “A lot of them have become good friends. We get feedback from some of the sailors which has been great and LIROS have developed ropes for them.  Whenever they come in it is great to chat.  It’s been great to get new products developed because of it.”

“All of us here are lifelong sailors,” Phil said.  The family is so engrained in the Australian sailing community, Olympic Gold medallist Nathan Wilmot’s parents James and Marita were Robyn and Phil’s Best Man and Matron of Honour at their Wedding. “I have known both Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen since they were boys and being a part of their successes has been fantastic.”

LIROS Ropes have adorned several Olympic medal-winning Australian boats since the partnership began. LIROS Managing Director Sven Rosenberger added to the excitement of the extension when he said, "We are proud to be able to continue the partnership with the AST until 2024 and are certain that both parties will continue to benefit from this technical partnership."

“We are incredibly proud of our relationship with DeckHardware and LIROS Ropes,” added Iain Murray, the Australian Sailing Director – Tokyo 2020 Olympic Campaign.

“What started as an idea over ten years ago to use an Australian-based distributor to help fit our boats with the best international technology when it comes to ropes has resulted in countless world championships and a swathe of Olympic medals. We look forward to more of the same as we continue the partnership over the next four years.”

DeckHardware’s partnership with the AST began through a childhood sailing relationship.  “Mel had sailed with Nathan Wilmot in Manly Juniors at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. He was Mel’s first ever skipper,” Robyn said.  “Nathan Wilmot and Nathan Outteridge came in and asked if we wanted to sponsor the team.  We spoke with LIROS Ropes and agreed to co-sponsor as their distributor.”

Phil says the greatest reward has been supporting young sailors pursuing their professional sailing careers. 

“We have an ambassador program which includes Australian Sailing Squad member Finn Alexander, who has been an ambassador since 2013.  We picked them up and thought we are going to look after you.  We want to see more kids in the sport.”

Visit www.deckhardware.com.au for more information on the products and services provided by the locally owned and run supporter of Australian sailing.

View the LIROS Ropes range

Photo Credit Beau Outteridge