One of Britain's remaining top ski racers has turned to crowdfunding in a bid to try to meet soe of her training costs for the coming World Cup season which will also see the bi-annual Alpine World Championships in Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado next year, as well as looking further forward to the 2018 South Korean Winter Olympics.
Charlie Guest, Britain's number 1 women's slalom racer and potential future racing stars has issued an appeal to the public to assist her in her ambitious bid to make it right to the top of her sport in the world, by turning to crowdfunding to help make her dream come true.
Charlie is offering a whole range of funding opportunities from simple £5 donations, right up to more expensive and tailored corporate packages.
"To get to the top in any sport, you have to dedicate yourself to the training, 7 days a week, 12 months a year," said Charlie, "I've been skiing since I was three years old and I know I can reach the summit and become world number 1, I just need help with the necessary funding to get to the next stage."
"The average 'season" for me lasts from August pretty much all the way through until May and involves frequent travel to countries all over the world to make the most of the snow, wherever it is. It's expensive, but for local people and businesses to be part of my journey is incredibly important, and I feel that I have a lot to offer. I really appreciate every single donation – from the very small to the very large."
Charlie's move follows news that a funding package up to the 2018 Winter Olympics of around £4m will be targeted at park and pipe athletes following their success at Sochi and to capitalise on their 'podium potential.'
Traditional downhill ski racers will get little or no financial support leading some racers to retire early and the boss of British Alpine racing to leave the UK's governing body in acrimonious circumstances recently. The row has so far led to those interested in British Apine racing meeting separate to the UK's governing body to look at ways to move forward and fears from the park and pipe freestyle community that the controversy could scupper the funding they have secured. They are looking for more grass roots support.
Starting to ski when she was just three years old, Charlie was first British Girl to win an international children's race after making the British Children's team, and is now firmly on track to make the World Championships team for February having already met the qualification criteria.
Charlie has set up a crowdfunding page at www.makeachamp.com/charlieguest and members of the public and businesses are easily able to donate to her quest for the summit. She has just over 40 days to hit her fundraising target.
http://www.charlieguest.com/