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 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 three 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. In July 2007, at the ISAF World Championships, Nikola qualified Canada for a Nation spot at the Olympics. Then, in 2008 Nikola qualified herself for that sole spot to represent Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games. Nikola finished a very respectable 17th of 27 at the Beijing Olympic Games, a virtual rookie compared to her competitors. Nikola is now amongst only a few athletes who have made the transition from one sport to another and to have competed in two different events at the Olympic Games. With her sights set on bringing home a medal from London 2012, Nikola is back in action — training and competing!
dare to dream
My experience at both the 2004 and the 2008 Olympic Games has given me invaluable experience. Making it to the Olympics is already a dream come true but my ultimate goal has yet to be reached. I don't just want to go to the Olympics to compete, I want to win. I believe this is possible.
Dare to Achieve
Although winning an Olympic medal is a daunting task, it is not unrealistic. It will take the next couple of years, hundreds of hours on and off the water training, thousands of dollars in resources, many moments of frustration, dedication, determination, drive, and ultimately my desire to succeed, in order for me to reach the summit, but I have to try.
dare to succeed
13th Olympic Games 2004 – 470 Sailing
17th Olympic Games 2008 - RSX Windsurfing
CYA's Female Sailor of the Year, 2001, 2004 & 2009
World Champion – Formula Experience Women, 2005
10th World Championships 2004 – 470 Sailing
5th European Championships 2003 – 470 Sailing
World Champion – Laser 2 Women, 1995
4 time Canadian 470 Women Champion
5 time Canadian Women Windsurfing Champion