My Journey to the 2023 Junior World Champs in Winterberg, Germany
Hello,
My name is Tirza Lara and I am a Skeleton athlete on the Canadian National Skeleton Team. I divide my time living and training between Whistler and Sun Peaks, B.C.
If someone told me 10 years ago where I would be today and what I’m doing, I would be shocked. Originally, I did ballet for nearly 11 years but was forced to quit due to a knee injury. Hoping to continue leading an athletic and disciplined lifestyle, witnessing the Olympics and a Google search brought me to skeleton. For my 16th birthday, I asked to do the Youth Discover Skeleton experience at the Whistler Sliding Center, and it was love at first slide (sorry, I just had to!). I was offered a job to work there the following summer and moved out on my own after finishing grade 11.
This year, I was invited to participate in the Team Canada selection races, where I earned a spot on the Canadian NextGen roster with the National Team. I’m excited to bring my experience on one of the hardest tracks in the world towards the Junior World Championships in Germany, especially as a trailblazer from the local BC skeleton program. Furthermore, I hope my pursuit of adrenaline will bring me to the biggest competitive stage, the Olympic games. I think my 10 year old self would be proud.
The current expenses I am fundraising for Junior Worlds are as follows:
- New pair of sled runners: $1000
- Luggage fees: $250
- Airfare: $2270
- Accommodation: $850
- Food: $1400
- Race fees: $40
- Shuttle to airport: $40
- Car rental: $833
- Travel insurance: $150
- Travel medical insurance: $85
