Samoan sailor Vaimo’oi’a Astrid Ripley was placed third in the Radial Apprentice Division when competing in the 2022 NSW/ACT State Masters Championships, Port Stephens in Australia last week.

Aspiring for the 2024 Olympics, Vaimo’oi’a said her participation in the championship is part of a long journey to qualify Samoa for the Paris Games.

“My ultimate goal by representing Samoa is to set a foundation for future sailors from home to follow," she said in a statement issued by the Samoa Sailing’s Association (S.S.A.).

“I want sailing to be more inspiring, which is why I left home during a pandemic and this is why I am competing at an elite level - to bring this knowledge back to Samoa.

“Samoa and Australia share a love for the ocean and through our countries shared interests I have been fortunate enough to team up with Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club in Sydney to further improve my skills."

S.S.A. President and Vice-Commodore of Apia Yacht Club, Raema von Reiche, has been an advocate for women in the sport and sailing for people of all abilities for 25 years.

She said sailing can be an individual or team sport, but it’s tough for local athletes to grow in the sport they don’t get the same backing when compared to the more favourable sports such as weightlifting, rugby, netball or football.

“Samoa Sailing Association has contributed to the country’s sporting portfolio with a haul of medals at the Pacific Games," added the S.A.A. President.

"Vaimo’oi’a Ripley and Bianca Leilua as gold medalist in the women’s division, Jordan Milroy and Eli Kapu as bronze medalist for Para-Sailing, and Eroni Leilua and Nicky Touli with silver in the men’s division. 

"We also made history when Eroni Leilua represented Samoa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics."

“Our sailors are flying Samoa’s flag wherever they compete in the world, they are sharing our Samoan culture with the global community and forming international networks that will benefit our country - especially once borders start to re-open.”

The S.A.A. President said currently they are fundraising to send a representative from Samoa, Elizabeth Rasch, who has been invited by World Sailing to compete in the 2022 Youth World Championships.

Born and raised in Samoa, Vaimo’oi’a is an international athlete who has previously represented Samoa in the Oceania Optimist Games 2000, the Pacific Games 2007 and 2019, Touch Rugby World Cup 2018, and the Women’s Radial World Championships 2021.