Sammie, an Australian Sailing Squad (ASS) and Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) athlete, embarked on her competitive sailing journey in 2017, specializing in the Olympic RS:X class. With unwavering dedication, she trained extensively out of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, QLD, participating in both domestic and international competitions within her class. In mid-2020, Sammie transitioned to the IQ Foil, a decision that proved fruitful as she achieved remarkable success in every domestic competition within this Olympic category.

Her achievements include four national titles, securing a wild card spot for the Professional Windsurfing Tour in 2022 and breaking a five-year selection drought for the Australian Sailing Squad in 2023. As Sammie explores the realm of windfoiling, her skills continue to soar, promising an exciting and limitless future for this talented athlete.

However, Sammie's journey has not been without its challenges. Limited coaching resources, a lack of domestic training partners, and the necessity of attending international competitions to enhance her performance on a global scale require her to allocate a significant portion of her time and resources to domestic and international travel. Nevertheless, these obstacles imbue her journey with a profound purpose - to showcase the value of women's windsurfing and inspire future generations of Australian girls to excel in the sport.

In 2023, Sammie aimed to maintain her upward trajectory both nationally and internationally, with the goal of qualifying Australia for the 2024 Olympic Games and securing her own selection to represent the country. Her packed calendar included prestigious events such as the Princesa Sofia Regatta, SOF Olympic Week, IQ Foil European Championships, ISAF Sailing World Championships, IQ Foil Oceania Championships, Sail Brisbane, Sail Melbourne, and various international and national training camps.

Looking ahead to 2024, Sammie's goals remain unchanged, with a heightened focus on securing her place in the Australian Olympic Team. As such, she will be spending a majority the next six months training and competing overseas in preparation for the 2024 World Championships in Lanzarote, Spain in January, the IQ International Games in Cadiz, Spain in March, the Princesa Sofia Regatta in Palma, Spain in April and SOF Olympic Week in May.

The IQFoil class has brought together the most accomplished PWA racers, Formula Racers, RSX Sailors, and Olympians worldwide. To compete successfully against such a high-caliber fleet, Sammie requires a combination of racing experience, exposure to international competitions, exceptional physical fitness, top-notch equipment, high-quality coaching, and efficient logistics.

Donations received will directly support these critical areas, specifically covering equipment costs, accommodation, and travel expenses. Your contribution to this fundraising project is invaluable, and through our partnership with the Australian Sport Foundation, donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. Any support, regardless of its size, will be immensely appreciated and will greatly assist Samantha on her journey to Paris 2024. We kindly request your donation today.