As the youngest athlete currently competing for the single US birth at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the cards are stacked against me. But just you watch…
You can say I am the youngest and therefore I have less experience than I need to win Olympic Gold in the sport of sailing…
…I say I am the most open to learning and have an attitude and persona that is absorbing knowledge at a rate beyond my competition!an everyone else…
You can say that I lack the physical development of my peers in the sport…
…I tell you that I am at an age where I am coming into my physical prime. Development, strength, size and stamina are all going to be in my favor when I reach Rio at age 19!
You can tell me that it is difficult for a 16 year old to raise the necessary funding to run a successful Olympic campaign…
…At 16 years old, I am the up and coming generation. My generation is spending money and is the target audience for retailers, consumer products, clothing, entertainment, the media and anyone else looking to sell products. Plus my generation is one of action and adventure! We strive to perform at our best and to create new and creative ways to live our lives and to accomplish the “tasks” of your generation. What company would not want to support an up and coming champion that promises to capture the attention of his entire generation around the globe?
You can suggest that with my limited sailing experience that the “establishment” wont take me seriously…
…I have spent exactly half of my life competing in the sport of sailing, and have a history of accomplishing astonishing feats. Have sailed all over the world representing the United States with pride and have earned a position on the US Sailing Development Team, something that is only awarded to the top 10 youth boats in the entire country. All of this was done before I turned 16 years old. I am only now approaching the starting point of my success, imagine what I will do over the next four years and beyond!
You may think I lack the mettle to work and live through the challenging times ahead…
…My sailing career has been about overcoming the odds. As a sailor from Cleveland, Ohio, I grew up sailing three month per year as the norm. I decided to break from the accepted sailing norm and started sailing around the Country at the age of 9 (in dead last place) and within two years was on the US National Team and representing the USA Overseas! Watch my performance over the next one, two and three years and you will see that when I am defeated, I learn HUGE lessons…When I win, I win min big and the train even harder to make it happen again! I WILL WIN OLYMPIC GOLD!!!
You may think I lack the maturity to put this complex program together successfully…
…With the relationships I have built through my sailing history, I have assembled a group of advisers, supporters and coaches around the world that are guiding my through the process and aiding in my path to Rio! When I win Gold in 2016, I will have a long list of accomplishments to be proud of but even a longer list of people that are building the foundation of my podium and those people will shine brightly when I acknowledge them from the beach in Copacabana!
Please help support my campaign for Gold in Rio2016 by donating as little as $1.00 today!
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