This summer I am participating in two sailing world championships - one at home in the Laser 4.7 fleet and one in Germany on a Shark. The Laser is a single-handed dingy, sailed by youth between the ages of 14-17 primarily. There are 180 spots for the Laser 4.7 championships, with a maximum of 26 from North American - of which I am one. The Shark is a 24 foot, keel boat sailed by three sailors primarily 30+ years - I am most likely going to be by far the youngest sailor in the fleet. There will be around 40-50 boats, 150 sailors participating in this event. 

My parents are covering the costs of coaching, fitness training, food, and other equipment. They asked me to contribute up to $2500 to cover the costs and my plan was to work this winter as an assistant ski instructor. I had budgeted out what I would need to work, combined with my savings, to reach my goal and was pretty confident that it would all work out. Then I broke both arms on my first day of work which put me out of work for the remainder of the ski season. I will continue to look for other opportunities to make enough money to participate but my training season begins in April which will start to limit my available time. 

My training plan for these events includes:
~8 additional regattas starting in May
~Tuesday & Thursday pm Shark racing May - September
~Monday - Friday training in the 4.7 June 17 - August regatta

These will both be the first world championship events that I will participate in. A great experience both as a sailor and as a person. Thank you for helping me achieve these goals.