| Nikola Girke is the 2009 Canadian Sailing Female Athlete of the Year |
| Sunday, 29 November 2009 15:14 |
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In the Laser 2 sailing class, Nikola was a three-time National Youth Sailing Champion, representing Canada at the 1995 Youth Worlds placing fifth and winning the Women's Title at the 1995 Laser 2 Worlds. In 1999, Nikola went on to pursue her goals in windsurfing. While living on Maui, she trained and competed in some of the Professional Windsurfing Association's World Cup Tour. The summer of 2001 was Nikola's first season in the 470 class sailboat and after a successful four year Olympic Campaign in the 470, Girke placed 13th at the Athens Olympic Games. In 2005, Nikola made the switch back to windsurfing. The 5 time Canadian Women's Windsurf Champion took on a new challenge, to compete on the Olympic Circuit on the RSX windsurfer. Nikola Girke, from West Vancouver, Canada, learned to sail at Eagle Harbour Yacht Club and developed her racing career at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. After graduating from West Vancouver Secondary School, Nikola received her Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia. In July 2007, at the ISAF World Championships, Nikola qualified Canada for a Nation spot at the Olympics. At the 2008 RSX World Windsurfing Championships, she qualified herself for that sole spot to represent Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games. Nikola is amongst only a few athletes who have made the transition from one sport to another and competed in two different events at the Olympic Games. The Female Athlete of the Year is awarded to an individual athlete or crew with a record of outstanding achievement in national and international windsurfing competition. The nominated athlete(s) must: a) Have a record of outstanding achievement in national and international competition from September 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009, and brought recognition to Canadian competitive sailing. Priority will be given to athlete results from international Olympic/Paralympic class competition in North American and ISAF Graded events. However, please note that other sailing accomplishments will be considered.
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