Do you remember thinking of what you wanted to be when you grew up? Maybe it was to be a professional athlete. To be an astronaut and soar into space with the stars. Or to help sick people as a doctor or nurse. Seventeen-year-old Washington native, Emma Artz, is pursuing her childhood dream of being a World Cup Downhill Racer. And like all dreams and dreamers, she needs some help, support, love, and guidance from her community to realize it.

As the Sweetlines Elite Team Coach, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Emma over the last three seasons. In Emma, I’ve seen a spark for competition ignite; her work ethic matches her aspirations, her skills progress. I’m proud to have witnessed this growth in Emma as a mountain biker and as a young woman.

Through the unique opportunity she got last year to race at the UCI World Championships for Downhill and be on the USA Cycling Junior Team, Emma realized racing at the highest level possible was something she wanted to continue to pursue. Now, Emma has undertaken a full calendar of racing for the 2022 season. She has already raced the Lourdes and Fort William World Cups, and will be racing the remainder of the World Cup calendar. In addition, to National Championships and representing the USA at the World Championships in August.

As all of us who mountain bike know, this sport is expensive. For those that ride and race, you know the expenses of gas, fixing broken parts, food for a ride or race weekend, race entry fees, campsite/hotel rooms, and the exciting trip to Whistler or somewhere else. All that adds up very, very quickly. Now, imagine flying with a bike, a gear bag full of your clothes, a bag full of extra parts, and a carry-on bag filled with excitement and nerves to Europe three times in six months. That’s a lot of oversized baggage fees and effort to sweet talk the Air France employee, trying to convince them that one of those bags isn’t “that big.”

Since you followed this link, you know why we’re here. I’m asking for your help to get Emma to the World Cup and World Championships and pursue her dreams. This is an extremely costly endeavor; please consider helping Emma through this campaign. Any contribution will help.

Thank you for your time and contribution,

Kris Christensen

Sweetlines Elite Team Coach