Support Claire's Olympic Goal!

Thank you for visiting my GoFundMe page - Any donation is greatly appreciated and helps me achieve my goal of medaling at the 2016 Olympics in Rio!

Since graduating from Yale University last May, I'm excited to be back in Olympic sailing! I had four successful years of college sailing including a national championship and was twice recognized as ICSA Women's All-American Skipper. I launched my Olympic Campaign this past summer with two US regattas: the US Laser Nationals and the Pacific Coast Championships. I was the first female finisher and third overall at both events.

In August I reentered international sailing at the Women's European Championships in Dun Lagohaire, Ireland. I was pleased to be the top American finisher and to test myself against many of the best in the World, finishing 22nd of 93 competitors. I then raced the Laser Radial World Championship in Rizhao, China. Working with the US Sailing coach I used that event to focus on processes and techniques necessary to propel me to the top of the class and to lay out a training plan for this winter.

Since November I have been training in St. Petersburg and Miami to focus on light air technique and speed and to take advantage of US Sailing resources in Coconut Grove. This training will culminate with the ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami in late January. This regatta is the US Sailing Team qualifier and the qualifier for the Rio Olympic Test Event later in 2014. My focus regatta for spring 2014 is the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres in France. This is an important regatta leading into the summer season to test the training and conditioning over the previous 8 months and refocus on priorities going into the summer international season.

Your support is essential to allow me to continue with the focused training and travel necessary to compete and succeed at the highest level. A contribution in any amount will help with travel, baggage fees, living expenses, sails, boat parts, regatta entry and gym fees among other costs. As an example, each major regatta requires a new sail, which costs $570.

To learn more about my Olympic campaign, schedule, goals, and background, please visit my website at clairedennis.org. On my website you will find my blog as well as links to my facebook page which has frequent updates and photos about my recent racing and training!

Thank you for your generous support and I look forward to representing you in Rio in 2016!

Claire