Support Merlin’s Journey to Biathlon Excellence

Hello everyone,

I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to share my passion and journey with you. For those of you that don’t know me, my name is Merlin Watts, I’m 16 years old.

I am very proud to announce I have been selected to the British Biathlon Union Development team,

Having trained with the Talent ID Team for a second year in a row, being selected to the development team is true testament that hard work pays off.

This incredible opportunity has allowed me to pursue my dreams and continue to develop in a sport that I am truly passionate about. – Biathlon.

Biathlon is the thrilling combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. The intensity of pushing yourself physically on skis, followed by the focus required to shoot accurately, creates a unique adrenaline rush. It’s like a blend of speed, precision, and strategy all wrapped into one sport.

It all started when I read an article in Nordic Ski Magazine about athletes with dual nationality like me!

I thought it would be great to have a British Biathlon head band or beanie so I searched on the BBU site.

I read about the Talent ID search try outs. I started thinking……

I convinced my parents to let me go and Dad & I took a trip to Stourport in the UK for the try out Weekend.

I was really nervous, it was super tough, I had really underestimated how fit I needed to be. I had an amazing time and met some great people. A fantastic experience.

A few days later I received an email from the BBU, I had been selected to the British Biathlon Talent ID Team..

The adventure had begun – I had lots of work to do.

My Journey So Far has involved lots of training, both technical and physical.

Joe from The Hive, here in Morzine, in the French Alps has been amazing, his continued support and encouragement is making a huge difference on my fitness and endurance.

I’m out on my bike, I’m running, I’m roller skiing and going to the gym.

Even when on holiday it's breakfast at 6am, then out training before it gets too hot!

Opting for remote study has granted me more more flexibility for both training and racing, it demands considerable dicipline.

With the Talent ID team I’ve been on BBU training camps in Scotland, Oberhof & Rhupholding in Germany, Norway, Lancaster, Wales and Italy.

Moving up to the development team means longer camps and more intense training, I’m really excited. This summer & autumn we have 4 roller ski camps planned in Font Romeu in the Pyrenees-Orientals, France. It’s the favoured training location of the top international teams, meaning we will be rubbing shoulders with the best Biathletes in the world.

Then we move on to snow.

There will be camps and races in Italy, Estonia, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden & Poland to name a few!

The Challenge with my continued development in biathlon is the funding.

Whilst my friends & family have been incredibly supportive, helping me with some of last seasons training fees and purchasing my rifle, the continued costs associated, flights, travel expenses, training fees, skis, poles, roller skis, boots, amunition and clothing, keep adding up.

Training camps & races through this summer, autumn and the winter season will be around €8000,

Flights and travel costs will be close to €3000

Equipment replacement, roller skis, snow skis, boots, clothing, race kit and ammunition will be around €2000

These elements are vital in helping me perform at my best and achieve my goals.

Big Thanks to my family and friends, with their help I was able to purchase my new biathlon rifle and fund some of last seasons training costs.

Your Support will really help me move forward. I have created this GoFundMe page to try to help fund some of these expenses. Your contribution will have a significant impact on my journey. Every donation will directly contribute to my ability to renew my equipment, continue training, attending essential camps, and compete at the highest level.

The Dream to continue developing, improving and getting fitter means I’m working hard all the time.

All these experiences, training and development are helping me work towards competing internationally at the IBU Junior Cup and the World Biathlon Championships!

You can help by donating, any amount of contribution, big or small, will go a long way to helping me reach my goals.

Please Share my campaign with your friends, family, colleagues, and on social media too. This will help to help spread the word. You can follow me on Instagram, keep up to date with my progress and please, like and share my posts.

Keep Encouraging me, it means the world, and your encouragement and support motivates me to keep pushing my limits.

Thank you, for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for any donations you are able to offer, and thank you for your encouragement and support.

I’m really excited to see where this journey takes me.

Merlin

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