‘Every time we compete together it gets better’: Nova Scotia sisters continue sailing success

Nova Scotia sisters Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance discuss their relationship on and off the water.

Antonia and Georgia Lewin-LaFrance are sisters who have been sailing together for the past six years, though it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Nova Scotia siblings.

“Georgia and I did not get along when we were younger. And I’m the older sibling too, so I just know better in every way,” laughed Antonia.

“I’m just kidding. Georgia is really my equal, and she’s a fierce competitor, just like I am, but in a different way. And I really admire and respect that.”

Antonia grew up single sailing at the Chester Yacht Club, while Georgia always had a partner.

There came a time when Georgia needed a new one and asked Antonia to fill in.

“I mean, definitely one of our biggest, one of the most important things for us, is to work on our relationship and make sure that we’re operating as teammates when it’s time and as sisters when it’s time for that,” said Georgia.

“So it’s definitely been a process over the last six years, but we’ve definitely built a strong foundation that we can continue to build on as we go for LA.”

The sisters competed in the Olympics for the first time in Paris 2024 and while they didn’t podium they took every experience as a learning opportunity.

“The Paris experience was definitely an absolute whirlwind,” said Antonia. “I think having it be our first games, and our first major games, it was just this tsunami of, you know, Canada pride and all this amazing stuff.”

“Being under that amount of pressure to qualify for the Olympics, I think it’s make or break whether you’re going to make it work with your sibling,” added Georgia. “And thankfully we came out on the winning end of that.”

They took six months out of the water after the Olympics, the longest they’ve ever been out of the boat. To podium and get bronze at the Semaine Olympique Française in Hyères, France, continues their quest to Los Angeles 2028.

“Paris for us was really about learning how to be athletes and making that qualification happen. There was another Canadian team that we were competing against for the spot,” explained Georgia. “And so we really were focused on qualification, and we decided to continue, with hopes to be focused on the Olympics and no longer qualifications, because we really want to medal in LA.”

“I’m excited for it. I haven’t thought about the qualification just yet,” added Antonia. “I’m really just thinking about the podium actually. And the podium at world championships and actually taking those steps to give ourselves the best chance possible at success in LA.”

With the support of the community and their family behind them, the Lewin-LaFrance sisters are proud to represent Nova Scotia on the international scale.

“We have beautiful waters here. We grew up sailing here. We are who we are because of this province. And we couldn’t be more thankful to everyone that’s helped us get to this point,” said Georgia.

“I love representing Nova Scotia. I love representing Canada. And I’m so happy that there’s so much support for us here,” Antonia said. “And we have so much support from local companies. And everyone’s really stepped up. We have a huge community of supporters behind us, and it’s one of the things that makes me most proud.”

The pair will head to Greece to compete in the World 2025 European Championship, which starts the first week of June.

Antonia added that her parents still get emotional when the sisters have success, while the pair continues to work on their relationship both off and on the water.

“Every time we compete together it gets better and better. Like, we somehow find new ways to improve our relationship.”

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