Help send Acklin to the European Opti Championship 2025

Hi, my name is Acklin and I'm crazy excited to have been selected to represent Australia at the 2025 European Opti Championships which are being held in Turkey in May. I'm 13 years old, live on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia, and have been sailing Opti's for about 4 years. I started sailing at my local beach in my 1st Opti which was called Speed Hopper. My parents (mainly Mum) were so worried that I would sail straight off the coast of Aus and end up in Antartica, so Dad attached a really long piece of rope and kept me reined in whilst I learnt the basics. I'm happy to say they have untied me, and I've been letting the Opti world know that the kid on a rope is well and truly ready to show what can be done when unleashed!

To help fund my trip to Turkey, I've been delivering pamphlets and washing cars for many months, but further financial assistance would be incredibly helpful. I will need to charter an Opti in Turkey, pay for travel and accommodation, engage a coach ( and possibly buy Mum some real Turkish Delight!!)

Over the past 12 months, I've been training every weekend - winter included, and entering every regatta I can. I've even been sailing a few different classes of boat to increase my knowledge and experience. The highlight of my Opti year was definitely the Nationals in Brisbane in which I finished 8th overall in Australia and won 2 individual races competing against 197 National and Interntional sailors.

Thank you so much for reading my story and hopefully helping a kid achieve his dreams at such a prestigious international event in Europe! From a kid on a rope to representing my country in 4 years....watch out world - I've got an agenda!!

Acklin