Clara
Gravely

Athlete Bio

Clara Gravely has loved playing sports since a young age, when she competed in soccer, karate and a variety of school sports. She had an Olympic dream before she even knew what sailing was.

She was first introduced to the sport of sailing when she did a beginner keelboat course with her family in 2011, a not-so-positive first experience for her – she got so seasick that she kissed the ground when she got back to shore!

That didn’t stop her from exploring more sailing in summer 2011, when she started dinghy sailing at a Learn-to-Sail camp at Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club. She first started competing in sailing in summer 2014, at the age of 15, and fell in love with the sport, especially the problem-solving puzzle of racing and the feeling of surfing waves downwind.

Since then, she has taken part in many international events, including World Cups and World Championships, but her favourite memory to look back on was her qualification for the 2017 Youth World Championships at the Midwinters East in Clearwater, FL. Dreaming of attending the Youth Worlds, she felt a lot of pressure and overcame many challenges throughout the qualifying regatta. With a strong last day of racing where she clinched the spot, it felt very special to have achieved her first major milestone in the sport, and to be able to celebrate with her teammates and coaches.

Her goal now is to perform at the top of the ILCA 6 fleet and to win an Olympic medal, while inspiring and encouraging young Canadians, especially girls, to pursue sailing so that Canada can continue to improve its program.

Clara Gravely graduated from Queen’s University in Spring 2021, with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geography and a minor in Biology. She is potentially looking to pursue a master’s degree and a career that aligns with her interest in environmental science or in the field of mental performance.

Other than sailing, Clara has a variety of creative interests outside of sport, including drawing funny comic strips, writing and reading.