Michael's Paralympic Ski Dream
Donation protected
Hello, Im Michael Foti from Jindabyne.
In April 2014, while learning to be a snowboard instructor i had a life changing accident. I fell 25ft from a unmarked drop onto a cat track and was left permanently paralysed from the waist down.
Being a determined and positive person i immediately began looking for ways to get back to the snow. Within weeks of my accident i decided to move to Jindabyne so i could begin sit skiing. A year later i made the move to the snow and have spent as much time as possible skiing since then.
Last year i took part in Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) race week. While there i had the opportunity to meet Paralympic sit skiers and coaches for the Paralympic team. The week opened my eyes to the possibilities of racing and gave me the encouragement i needed to head to Winter Park, Colorado and start race training.
So i sold pretty much everything i own and used all my savings to fund my trip to Winter Park. While there i got to have top quality training with other paralympic sit skiers and with top coaches, I trained in gates and my skiing improved huge amounts. I also had the opportunity to compete in some races where i had respectable finishes for my first ever season. Since coming home i have been invited to train with the Australian Developmental team with the aim of getting to the Winter Paralympics. The past season really ignited my passion for racing and i now dream of heading to the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, China.
My plan for this upcoming season is to head back to Winter Park, Colorado so i can again get the world class race training that i need to keep improving. I will also be able to go to more races where i will have the opportunity to be more competitive. I have trained very hard to get to the level i am at and i am passionate about reaching the pinnacle. I will still remain self-supported and will rely on my own funds for all travel, race costs , and all FIS certified equipment. skiing is a very expensive hobby for most, and training and race fees make the sport even more expensive for myself. I will be using the funds I raise directly to help me compete at the top international level and earn my spot on the 2022 Australian Paralympic ski team.
This year I am seeking financial support for the upcoming competition season. I will be competing and training out of the country which increases my expenses significantly. Supporting me for this competition season will allow me to travel to Winter Park, Colorado for training but also to be able to go to all the US races, being able to compete at these races will allow me to work my way towards the 2022 Winter Paralympics.
Below is a rough breakdown of the estimated costs for my upcoming international season.
Accommodation $8000
Training $4000
Travel $2000
Insurance $1300
Equipment (i always break skis) $4000
Race Expenses (travel, accomodation, fees etc) $1000 per race roughly.
Race Schedule.
Sep 2017 Cordona (NZL)
Dec 2017 Aspen (USA)
Jan 2018 Winter Park (USA)
Feb 2018 Whiteface (USA)
Park City (USA)
Kimberley (CAN)
Mar 2018 Mammoth (CAN)
I would be grateful for any donation, large or small to help assist me on my journey to reach the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijng, China. Thank you!
https://www.instagram.com/foti_11/
In April 2014, while learning to be a snowboard instructor i had a life changing accident. I fell 25ft from a unmarked drop onto a cat track and was left permanently paralysed from the waist down.
Being a determined and positive person i immediately began looking for ways to get back to the snow. Within weeks of my accident i decided to move to Jindabyne so i could begin sit skiing. A year later i made the move to the snow and have spent as much time as possible skiing since then.
Last year i took part in Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA) race week. While there i had the opportunity to meet Paralympic sit skiers and coaches for the Paralympic team. The week opened my eyes to the possibilities of racing and gave me the encouragement i needed to head to Winter Park, Colorado and start race training.
So i sold pretty much everything i own and used all my savings to fund my trip to Winter Park. While there i got to have top quality training with other paralympic sit skiers and with top coaches, I trained in gates and my skiing improved huge amounts. I also had the opportunity to compete in some races where i had respectable finishes for my first ever season. Since coming home i have been invited to train with the Australian Developmental team with the aim of getting to the Winter Paralympics. The past season really ignited my passion for racing and i now dream of heading to the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, China.
My plan for this upcoming season is to head back to Winter Park, Colorado so i can again get the world class race training that i need to keep improving. I will also be able to go to more races where i will have the opportunity to be more competitive. I have trained very hard to get to the level i am at and i am passionate about reaching the pinnacle. I will still remain self-supported and will rely on my own funds for all travel, race costs , and all FIS certified equipment. skiing is a very expensive hobby for most, and training and race fees make the sport even more expensive for myself. I will be using the funds I raise directly to help me compete at the top international level and earn my spot on the 2022 Australian Paralympic ski team.
This year I am seeking financial support for the upcoming competition season. I will be competing and training out of the country which increases my expenses significantly. Supporting me for this competition season will allow me to travel to Winter Park, Colorado for training but also to be able to go to all the US races, being able to compete at these races will allow me to work my way towards the 2022 Winter Paralympics.
Below is a rough breakdown of the estimated costs for my upcoming international season.
Accommodation $8000
Training $4000
Travel $2000
Insurance $1300
Equipment (i always break skis) $4000
Race Expenses (travel, accomodation, fees etc) $1000 per race roughly.
Race Schedule.
Sep 2017 Cordona (NZL)
Dec 2017 Aspen (USA)
Jan 2018 Winter Park (USA)
Feb 2018 Whiteface (USA)
Park City (USA)
Kimberley (CAN)
Mar 2018 Mammoth (CAN)
I would be grateful for any donation, large or small to help assist me on my journey to reach the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijng, China. Thank you!
https://www.instagram.com/foti_11/
Organizer
Michael Foti
Organizer
Pilot Wilderness, NSW