Some athletes follow a straight path. For Sarah Douglas, Canadian Olympian, the road to the world stage has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what makes her story powerful.
Sarah’s sailing journey began at just seven years old in Barbados. With the gift of year-round sailing in the Caribbean and summers competing in North America, she grew up balancing two worlds of racing. She joined the Lake Ontario Optimist Team (LOOT)—a travelling team that still thrives today—and quickly made her mark. But after a heartbreaking 2nd place finish at the Youth Nationals, Sarah walked away.
“I had the wrong mindset of ‘love to win, hate to lose,’” she remembers. “That second place broke my heart, and I quit sailing to become a coach.”
It wasn’t until she heard Rosie MacLennan, Canada’s two-time Olympic trampoline champion, speak about her own journey that something reignited. “Her story inspired me to chase after my Olympic dream,” Sarah says. From that moment, she poured herself into the work—hours in the gym, hours on the water, and a relentless commitment to growth. The result? A place on the national team and a decade of racing at the highest level.
Memories of Kingston and CORK
For Sarah, Kingston has always been part of the picture. “I always enjoyed coming to Kingston to race,” she says. “Staying in Queen’s housing, eating White Mountain ice cream and pizza, and sailing in that great sea breeze at a competitive regatta.”
Over the years, she’s competed at CORK in the Optimist, Byte CII, ILCA 6, and even returned as a coach. The racing was always tough, especially in those early Optimist years. “I didn’t always do well as a kid, but I learned so much about race strategy and positioning at CORK.”
She also trained out of Kingston in the summer of 2020, using its famous thermal winds to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics. “It reminded me what a great training location it is,” she says.
And for Sarah, the venue itself stands out: “The facility is fantastic—it’s something that often gets overlooked at other regattas. And the volunteers at CORK are always incredible. They’re so committed to hosting a fun, competitive regatta.”
Lessons Along the Way
After ten years on the national team, Sarah carries more than just race results. “It’s been everything,” she says. “Everything I do is led by my core values and the person I want to be. Through all the adversity and triumphs, it’s how I handled them that I’m most proud of. It’s a holistic approach.”
Her advice to the next generation of sailors? Don’t get lost in the scoreboard. “We can be so focused on results—and that’s what once drove me out of the sport. My advice is to find joy in the process. Work on every aspect of your game, on and off the water, and the results will come.”
What’s Next
Right now, Sarah is recovering from hip surgery, which has sidelined her for the current summer season. But her focus is already forward. “I’m looking forward to getting back on the water once I’m cleared to sail,” she says.
For an athlete who’s learned to love the process as much as the podium, it’s clear that Sarah’s story is still being written. And for Kingston and CORK, her journey is another reminder of the role these waters play in shaping Canadian sailing—one generation after the next.
Follow Sarah’s Journey
Sarah Douglas continues to represent Canada on the international stage, with her sights set on future World Championships and Olympic campaigns. Want to follow Sarah’s sailing career? Stay connected through these channels:
- Instagram: @sarahdouglas_
- Facebook: Sarah Douglas Sailing
- Website: www.sarahdouglassailing.com
For more on Team Canada and the next generation of sailors coming up through events like CORK, follow:
- Sail Canada: sailing.ca
- CORK/Sail Kingston Facebook: facebook.com/CORKSailKingston
- CORK/Sail Kingston Instagram: @corkkingston
Every wave of Canadian sailing talent has passed through CORK. The next generation is charting their course right here in Kingston.