Samoa’s first female Olympic sailor Vaimo’oi’a Ripley has kicked off her 2025–2026 season with two strong podium finishes, signalling a confident return to competition as she ramps up her campaign for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Ripley, who balances full-time work with elite-level training, finished second in the Apprentice and Open Divisions at both the Double Bay International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Regatta and the New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) Coast Championships. The results highlighted her consistency in early-season racing and positioned her as one of the Pacific region’s leading ILCA 6 competitors.

The inaugural Double Bay Regatta, held on November 11 in Sydney Harbour, featured 77 sailors competing in challenging spring conditions. Light, unstable winds limited the regatta to three races, making precision critical.

“It was one of those days where you really had to read the harbour,” Ripley said. “Sydney keeps you honest.” She finished seventh overall and second in the Apprentice Division, crediting her performance to disciplined race strategy and support from Vaikobi and NB Sail Sports.

A week later at the NSW/ACT Coast Championships in Gosford, Ripley again showed resilience in mixed conditions, with sea breezes building from eight to 15 knots on a crowded course.

“It was a tricky course to navigate with having to share the water with other races on at the same time,” Ripley said. “Some of us went to the wrong markers and had to fight back up the course to re-gain our places.” She claimed second in the Open Division, finishing in a tightly packed fleet where seconds separated competitors.

As Samoa’s first female Olympic sailor, Ripley uses her platform to promote Pacific visibility in high-performance sport.

“Olympic Solidarity allows athletes like me to keep pushing—showing that excellence isn’t about privilege, it’s about persistence and community,” she said.

Ripley is supported by Woollahra Sailing Club, Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club mentors, Vaikobi, and NB Sail Sports as she prepares for a demanding 2026 regatta schedule. With early-season momentum behind her, she aims to refine speed, gain international experience, and position Samoa strongly for LA 2028 qualification.

“I’m building slowly and intentionally,” Ripley said. “The goal isn’t perfect conditions—it’s learning how to navigate whatever the wind brings.”

Ripley represented Samoa at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and continues to pave the way for Pacific athletes in sailing.

A Double Bay Regatta is an annual sailing event held in Sydney Harbour, specifically at the Double Bay Sailing Club.