The Australian Highlander Ultrafine Farm in Tumbarumba (New South Wales), owned by Suzanne and Matthew Triplett, has won the Loro Piana World Wool Record Challenge Cup for its production of the finest Merino wool in the world in 2010.

The 2010 winning wool bale from Highlander boasts the incredible fineness of 11.4 microns (1 micron = one thousandth of a millimetre) and affirms once again the excellence of Australian Merino wool, which has always won the Loro Piana Challenge Cup since the foundation of the Award in 2000, except for last year.

The award ceremony took place at The Marmara Esma Sultan, where Loro Piana hosted a celebratory dinner to commemorate the commitment and professionalism of woolgrowers, who constantly work to improve Merino wool.

Woolmark, historically the symbol of quality in wool, has partnered with Loro Piana to highlight the engagement, research and innovation of Australian woolgrowers and their passion to produce the highest levels of fineness and excellence in this precious natural fibre.

Stuart McCullough, CEO of Australian Wool Innovation thanked Loro Piana for the establishment of the Challenge Cup and congratulated Highlander.

“It highlights Australian woolgrowers’ constant endeavour to produce the best Merino wool, a renewable natural fibre that is not only biodegradable but comfortable next to skin. The win re-affirms the inspiration of our recently launched international marketing campaign 'Merino Wool. No Finer Feeling'”.

On the occasion of the ceremony, Pier Luigi Loro Piana, CEO of the Loro Piana Group said: “This award goes to the professionalism, to the skills and the passion so typical of these farms. Thanks to their constant efforts, the wool industry can count on quality and fineness”.

The Challenge Cup invariably sets an annual record, which is often also a world record. Every record bale is archived by Loro Piana. Until a finer wool bale is purchased, the previous one cannot be used.

A bale weighs on average between 90 to 100 kg, which is also the minimum lot that can be transformed into fabric, suitable only for a few dozen made-to-measure suits. Clients who have already bought a record bale article can exercise a “pre-emption right” on their following purchases. Record bale fabrics are numbered and marked by a selvedge and an exclusive label that makes them absolutely unique.