Sarah’s first learned to fly as a 13 yr old in a single-seat ultralight, flying on skis through the Canadian winter. She worked in a bakery throughout her teen years, spent her earnings on airplane instruction and earned her private certificate on her 17th birthday.

In 2004, Sarah became the owner-operator of Chilhowee Gliderport in Benton, TN where she eventually met and married her husband, Jason. Together they’ve worked to improve the airport, train a new generation of pilots, and host soaring camps, seminars, and contests. Sarah organized the 1st FAI Pan American Gliding Championships in 2015, and serves on the US Team Committee, and the US Rules Committee. Sarah is an inductee of the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame (2017), and US Soaring Hall of Fame (2021). A seasoned international competitor, Sarah has represented the USA in 4 WGC events (Argentina 2013, Montlucon 2021, Szeged 2022, Narromine 2023), four pre-WGC events (Uvalde 2011, Argentina 2012, Benalla 2015, Lake Keepit 2019), and three WWGC events (Issoudun 2013 – BRONZE, Zbraslavice 2017 – SILVER, and Lake Keepit 2020 – GOLD!).

Sarah and Karl have been flying together since 2017 when they took Alby the Albatross for his final leg on the cross-continental relay from California to the US Soaring Museum in Elmira, NY. They have won two US Nationals together, and came in 9th at the 2022 WGC.

Training for these events is a continual work in progress. To further my goals, I’ve chosen flying opportunities which offer the best chance to hone skills and learn as much as possible. This is my fifth world championships event in less than five years. Flying in the hardest conditions, with the most contest days, against the best pilots, is the best preparation. I find it incredibly fulfilling to be challenged by my peers and perfect the craft.

I always do my best flying when I’m not thinking about scores or placings and just enjoy each moment aloft. I know that I can go home without regrets knowing I did my best and embraced the experience. Flying with Karl is really fun! It’s easy to not worry about the scores while we’re up there, and we each have a huge competitive drive which helps keep egos out of the cockpit. We both just want to make the glider go as fast as it can possibly go, and we don’t care what we have to do or who is at the controls at any given time so long as we’re getting it done.

I am so honored to participate and fly with the best pilots in the world. It is a dream come true to represent my country IN my country, and Uvalde is a very special place. I hope to inspire others who sacrifice for their own dreams, and more than anything to bring honor to my country.

NEWS ABOUT SARAH

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