Daniela Moroz Receives Team DeAtley Grant at St Francis Sailing Foundation Annual Auction.

Fundraising was not something Markus Edegran felt comfortable with going into his 2024 Olympic campaign. Edegran, who will represent the US at the Paris Olympics in men’s Formula Kite Foil, had some experience in fundraising through corporate sponsorships but felt uncomfortable raising funds from personal contacts.

Edegran will represent the US in the Men’s Formula Kite Foil.

Ensuring he had the funds to see him through was a constant challenge over and above the general rigor of an Olympic campaign. It was not only a surprise but a welcome gift when he became the recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Team DeAtley fund awarded to StFYC member athletes competing at the Olympics.

“It’s been amazing to have the support from the St. Francis Sailing Foundation from the start of the campaign,” Edegran said. “The DeAtley grant will help me pay off some of the expenses I have accumulated this year as I fought to qualify the country this spring and will also help towards ensuring I am as competitive as possible at the Games.”

A StFYC member and St Francis Sailing Foundation committee member, Beth DeAtley initiated the Team DeAtley fund in honor of her late husband Dick  DeAtley, who was active in the yacht club and was planning to  donate funds to the sailing community before his untimely death in November 2017. The first round of funds was given in 2020 for the Tokyo Games to StFYC member athletes Riley Gibbs, Anna Weis, Luke Muller, Paige Railey and Nikki Barnes who each received $25,000 as StFYC members competing in the Games. More recently, recipients have included Daniela Moroz, Hans Henken and Edegran who have also each received $25,000 for the 2024 Games.

“I wanted to support our Olympics sailors so that they can be free to train without the hindrance of constant fundraising,” DeAtley commented. “It is a lot of fun and I love corresponding with the members of the team, following them as they move along. I have learned a lot through our discussions and have great admiration for the talent, training, and overall determination it takes to be an Olympic sailor. I’m very proud of them.”

Edegran added, “It means a lot to have this level of support coming from a member of the club where I started this journey. I’m super proud to represent StFYC and everyone I have shared the water with off of Crissy Field.”

Moroz with Beth DeAtley at StFSF Annual Auction Fundraiser.

Moroz; 6x Formula Kite Champion, 4x Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, who will represent the USA in the women’s Formula Kite Foil at the 2024 Olympics received her Team DeAtley grant at the Foundation’s annual auction fundraiser event last fall. Moroz echoed her gratitude for DeAtley’s generosity as she shared with event guests the challenge of balancing high-level training with fundraising and running their own operations.

“Beth’s support of the Foundation has made the road to Paris smoother for me and other sailors representing the US at the Games,” Moroz said. “We are so very grateful for her generosity and I am proud to be part of Team DeAtley.”

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