Hello! I am Augustas, a 14 year old International Optimist dinghy class sailor from Melbourne. I am preparing to represent Australia at these international sailing events :

• 2024 Optimist World Championship in Mar del Plata, Argentina (December 5-15), including a pre-worlds "practice" regatta in Finland and Estonia in July.

and 

I started sailing 3.5 years ago, but first few years were challenging because of COVID-19 pandemic, which caused irregular training schedules, long breaks without sailing, travel restrictions and limited coaches’ availability. Despite of this, I have been very dedicated to sailing since I started competing at the age of 11 and I have worked really hard to improve my skills and abilities over the past year: I attended almost all local regattas and traveled to many interstate racing and training events. In January 2023 I went to Sydney to compete at the Australian Optimist National Championship (a selection regatta for Australian Optimist Sailing Team). Not only I became Australian Teams Racing Champion (as part of Victorian Optimist Sailing Team), but I also earned 3rd place in fleet racing. As a result, I have been invited to represent Australia at world and continental events.

Qualifying for the World championship was a very important moment in my life. A reward for my determination, hard work and many sacrifices made by me and my family. Also, it is a very important opportunity to grow and improve, meet the best junior sailors in the world and learn from them, practice new boat handling techniques, racing strategies, get familiar with international regatta rules and test my resilience in tough racing conditions. This will help to build solid foundations for my future sailing career. Now, when I get a podium place at every regatta I participate in Australia, I really need international racing experience to further improve as a sailor. I am not yet sure where my sailing journey will take me in the long run, but I know that I really enjoy every minute of it and I would love to see more Australian kids enjoying my sport as well. I believe that success at international events like World and Asian Championships would help to promote junior sailing and more kids and families would join local clubs to practice this sport. 

My sailing adventure started as a surprise 3 day holiday program without any plans for future involvement in this expensive sport. It has continued successfully so far because my parents have been saving hard to give me all these opportunities to improve and one day become one of the best Opti sailors in the world, but overseas regattas are much more expensive than local or interstate ones, therefore I kindly ask for financial support which will help me to reach my goals. Your donations will help to cover my preparation and participation costs (air fares, entry fees, boat chartering costs, coaching expenses, accommodation and meals, uniforms). 

All your contributions will be greatly appreciated!

If you are interested in my sailing journey updates, please follow me on Instagram. I will post all news here : https://www.instagram.com/augustas.buividas/ 

Thank You!