In a historic milestone for Samoa, Vaimo'oi'a Ripley proudly made her debut as the nation’s first female sailor at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Now, with her eyes set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication to her sport and her heritage.

“Sailing is part of who we are. On the water, I feel connected to my heritage and the generations of voyagers before me,” she said.

Reflecting on her Paris 2024 Olympic experience, Vaimo'oi'a shared, "The Olympics was an unforgettable experience, especially when seeing the Samoa flag on my sail. This journey has always been more than me and more than just a race; it’s about honouring my country and the generations of navigators who came before me." 

Her connection to her roots runs deep, as the flag she flew was crafted by her great-grandfather, the late Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II Malietoa, using a unique mix of blue fountain ink pen and red lipstick from his wife, the late Masiofo Lili Tunu. The spirit of competition is not new to Vaimo'oi'a, who carries the legacy of her younger sister, the late Tu'iemanu Eugenie Alexandria Ripley, an Olympic sailor in her own right who represented American Samoa at the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010. “My sister achieved so much in her 21 years, including paving the way for our family on the Olympic stage,” she shared. “She inspires me daily to continue that legacy with determination and grit.”Vaimo'oi'a remarked, acknowledging the supportive role her father played as Tu'iemanu’s coach and manager. 

At the core of Vaimo'oi'a's achievements is her faith. She attributes her success to her deeply rooted beliefs, stating, “We always give praise and thanks to our Lord and Saviour. With Him at my side, I have navigated every obstacle and achieved every goal.” Since her Olympic debut, Vaimo'oi'a has been active on the competitive sailing circuit, achieving impressive results at prestigious Australian events. In October, she placed fifth overall and second among female racers at the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) six Coast Championship, followed by strong performances at the ILCA New South Wales (NSW) and ACT Open & Youth State Championships and the Victorian ILCA Open Championship. 

She aims to build on this momentum as she prepares for the Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships in January 2025. 

"After returning from the Olympics, I was determined to maintain my momentum and immerse myself in the Australian competition scene. The elite skills I developed through my experiences are invaluable, and as the saying goes, if you don’t use them, you lose them. I am committed to ensuring that my Olympian skills continue to shine."

Vaimo'oi'a's journey is also a tribute to her heritage and love for sailing, which began at the Apia Yacht Club, where she first raced at the age of eight. “That little boat taught me resilience and the joy of sailing,” she reminisced, embodying the spirit of perseverance that characterizes her path from racing a wooden Optimist dinghy to competing on the world stage. 

Support from the community, including loaned boats and accommodations during competitions, has been essential to her progress. “Every bit of support, whether monetary or in-kind, makes a real difference,” she said. “Without it, competing internationally would be almost impossible.” she said.

 As Vaimo'oi'a gears up for her second Olympic campaign, she expresses immense gratitude for her family, friends, and the global sailing community. “My second campaign will be even more intense but I am confident the unwavering belief and prayers of my supporters will empower me to reach my goals for LA 2028."