At R&L Recycling B.V, we not only support sustainability but also talent! R&L Recycling B.V. is proud to be a long-time sponsor of the promising young sailor Manuel, who has already achieved impressive feats in sailing at the age of 16.
Born in Italy to a Dutch father and Spanish mother, Manuel has emerged as a talented athlete in the world of sailing from the age of seven. Manuel began his sailing career in the optimist class. In 2017, at the age of just nine, he achieved a fantastic second place at the Italian Championships in Crotone. This achievement marked the beginning of his journey to success and laid the foundation for many future victories.
Until 2021, Manuel remained active in the optimist class and even represented the Italian national team. His packed schedule then led him to a new challenge: the ILCA class (formerly known as Laser). Here he impressed by finishing fourth at the European Under-16 Championships in Cadiz, Spain, at the end of 2023. After these remarkable achievements, Manuel switched to the ILCA 6 class – with a larger sail area of 5.9 m² – which is also considered one step below the Olympic men’s ILCA 7 class (with an area of 7.2 m²). This move is a testament not only to his growth as an athlete but also to his ambition to compete in top competitions.
Just last September, he won the Italian Under-17 Championship and finished second overall. Thanks to support from R&L Recycling B.V., he was able to take part in international competitions such as the ILCA 6 World Championships in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where he placed number 42 overall and finished fourth within his under-17 age group. With ambitious goals in mind, Manuel is now looking forward to what is to come: participation in both the European Championships in Vilamoura (Portugal) next April and the Los Angeles World Championships at the end of July.
His ultimate goal is to gain a spot on the Dutch national sailing team – the springboard for further Olympic aspirations! At R&L Recycling B.V, we not only support sustainability but also talent! We believe that investing in young athletes like Manuel inspires us all to pursue our dreams while continuing to contribute to better eco-friendly practices within our community! Keep following us for more updates on Manuel’s exciting journey further down the road this competition year!
