Grace's 2018 Biathlon Travel Fund

Grace is accurate & fast, but short on cash.


Family, friends, and supporters.  Thank you for supporting me last year when I earned an unfunded position on the U. S. Biathlon Association (USBA) World Youth/Junior Team to compete in Osrblie, Slovakia at the Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships.  Your support was overwhelming.  I performed well at the races and was later named to USBA’s development team.  I am reaching out again for your help this year.

For those of you who don’t know me, or those of you with an interest in the shooting sports who may choose to support me, my name is Grace Gilliland.  I am a biathlete from Eagle River, AK.  I have lived in Alaska my whole life and enjoy competitive shooting and Nordic skiing. As a biathlete I ski fast, shoot quickly with accuracy, and I need your support for travel and race expenses.

This year I once again earned a position on the U.S. Biathlon Team to compete at the Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships.  This year these races are being held in Otepää, Estonia.  Thankfully, this year, I earned a funded position for these races.   However, I still need financial assistance for air travel, excess baggage fees, room, board, coaching, wax and ammo to compete in other international races which I have qualified for and been invited to, but which are not funded by the USBA.

I need to raise support for my air travel from Anchorage to Nové Město, Czech Republic for the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Junior Cup 3 from January 25-27 and for travel to Pokljuka, Slovenia for the IBU Junior Open European Championships from January 30 to February 4.  These two Junior age group races will give me a chance to compete against women in the next older age bracket and will be a good experience for me to grow as an internationally competitive athlete.

I will then return home to Anchorage and prepare for the Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships in Otepää, Estonia from February 26 to March 4 (with support from USBA).  In March, I will travel from Anchorage to Soldier Hollow, UT to compete in the US Biathlon National Championships from March 29 to April 1.  Then, depending upon funding, I have been invited to a biathlon training camp in Val D'Isere, France from June 20 to July 1. To wrap up the summer training season, my goal is attend USBA’s Summer Nationals in Jericho, VT and earn a podium finish each day of racing.  

It would be tremendously inspiring to me to have your support again this year representing the U.S. on the international stage.  Thank you in advance for your encouragement and support.

Thank you,

Grace Gilliland
Eagle River, AK


The estimated expense which I must raise support and pay for:

Estimated cost for two trips to Europe for races in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic and Pokljuka, Slovenia for IBU Junior Cup race 3 and IBU Junior Open European Championships, and baggage fees associated with the IBU Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships. ($2,480.00) by January 25

Round trip ticket from Anchorage to SLC, UT for U.S. National Championships and estimated baggage, lodging meals, coaching and race fees.  ($1,300.00) by mid-February.

Round trip ticket from Anchorage to Lyon, France for 10-day summer training camp at Val D'Isere, France and estimated baggage, lodging meals, coaching and race fees.  ($2,800.00) by April.   

Round trip ticket from Anchorage to Burlington, VT for U.S. Biathlon Summer/Rollerski Nationals and estimated baggage, lodging meals, coaching and race fees.  ($1,560.00) by June.   

$8,140.00 total.