My name is Elspeth Simms. I am a part of the Sail Canada Identified Athlete Program and I was named to the Canadian Youth Squad, qualifying for the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships. My long term focus is to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. At this stage, I need to gain as much international race experience as possible at World and European Championships. This year I will be competing in two age category World Championships and an age category European Championship. I was also able to qualify to be the female representative in the ILCA 6 at the Youth Sailing World Championship in Lake Garda, Italy. This is a fantastic opportunity and sign that I am on the right path because only one representative from each country attends this Worlds. My goal for this event is to finish in the top 10. No Canadian Female has been in the top 10 since the 2008 event.
Preparation for this event has been extremely important. In December, I spent a month training in Malta followed by a Europa Cup regatta. In January, I was able to touch base with the international fleet with the U19 World Championship in Argentina. Both of these events helped me work on heavy wind sailing with strong coaches and competitors. In March, I did the CISA advanced racing clinic and qualified for the ISAF worlds at the Midwinters West regatta. This Spring, I was able to spend two months at home with high volume training in the gym and on the water. This was through training with the Male Youth Worlds representative and a Sail Canada Identified Athletes camp.
What’s next?
I am now in Valencia for a three week training camp with a team of international training partners as a part of Team Sailcoach. This will be followed by the U21 World Championship to focus on tactical situations and then by my peak event, the Sailing Youth Worlds.
A sailing campaign of this caliber is very expensive and impossible without support. Standard costs include things like multiple sails for $1200 each, boat charters $2000, event fees $500, travel $1500 and coaching for $4000 an event. As I’m sure you can see, these costs add up. Help towards paying for these items make my sailing possible. I have been able to use provincial and yacht club funding as well as coaching local sailors to offset past fees. The level of preparation and my ability to participate in numerous international events this season is made possible through donors. Any amount helps buy a sail, replace lines or pay for coaching.
If you are interested and able to donate, I would be grateful for any level of support. Thank you for your interest in my program and being a part of helping me reach my goal of Top 10 at Youth Worlds and beyond.
- Elspeth
