At Tokyo 2020, Toronto's own Sarah Douglas finished with the best-ever Olympic result for a Canadian woman in an individual sailing event. This year she’s back and gunning for gold.
What is something you wish more people understood about your sport?
Sailing competitions are not a time trial where the fastest time wins, they are a strategic battle between competitors with constantly changing winds and waves. At the end of the race, each competitor receives points equal to the position they finished in the race and at the end of the regatta (normally, 10 races), the lowest point total wins!
Leading up to the games, what does your training regimen look like?
I’ve spent a lot of time training at the Olympic venue but I’ll be doing a final training camp at my home club in Toronto. Typically I do two strength sessions and three to four bike sessions a week in addition to sailing.
We are starting to prepare for the heat of summer in France with heat training in a climate room at the Canadian Sport Institute of Ontario. There’s also a lot of mental preparation that we do heading into an Olympic Games.
What is your happiest sporting memory?
After my final day of the qualification series at the Tokyo Olympics, I had a good day of racing and decided to FaceTime my family while still in my wetsuit. It was the middle of the night in Toronto and they were screaming with excitement about watching my great day on the water. I found out shortly after that they were celebrating that I had moved up to 4th place with a shot at any medal going into the final race.
What do you think needs to be done to open up sailing to more people?
There’s a lot that can still be done to improve our sport and welcome new sailors. I don’t have all the answers but more awareness and communication is an easy step forward.
What are some of the least glamorous aspects of being an Olympian?
Time away from friends and family, the loads that you put your body through and the high financial burden on athletes in support of their Olympic dreams.
What is your advice for those hoping to become the best at what they do?
Always start with your core values, they will help guide your decisions and what’s right for you. There’s also a lot of people who are willing to help, you just have to ask.
This interview was edited for clarity.