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, she represented Canada at the 1995 Youth Worlds placing fifth and she won 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. In July 2007, at the ISAF World Championships, Nikola qualified Canada for a Nation spot at the Olympics. At the 2008 RSX World 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.

2008 OLYMPIC CAMPAIGN

DARE TO DREAM

My experience at the 2004 Olympic Games was fulfilling in many ways, 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 ACHEIVE

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
US National Women Windsurfing Champion 2005
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
CYA's Female Sailor of the Year, 2001 & 2004