Team Samoa's sailing athletes, who arrived in the Solomons Islands last Wednesday evening for the XVII Pacific Games, have begun preparations for their events.

The team got into Honiara last Wednesday night, spent their first night in their rooms with bunk beds and on Thursday checked out the sailing venue as well as the Games Village. 

"The Solomon Islands hosting team have all been awesome and so friendly, food has been great and huge servings so keeping our Samoan tummies happy will keep you all updated," said the team in a message to the Apia Yacht Club management. 

"Thank you, everyone, for all your support and alofa. We carry our AYC fam with us always. Fa’afetai faafetai faafetai tele lava. Go team Samoa."

One of the athletes, Aloma Black, in an update on the first sail at the Games venue for sailing said: "First sail at the venue! Heaps of current, way more than at AYC and light winds so trying to get a feel for it."

The Team Manager Fritz Rasch added: "It's definitely very hot and humid, but Solomon Islands people are very warm and friendly. We've been looked after very well."

Another sailing athlete, Vaimo'oi'a Ripley was still soaking in her first-ever visit to the Solomon Islands, telling the Samoa Observer, "It's my first time in the Solomon Islands and we've had a heartwarming welcome."

She confirmed visiting the Iumi Water Park in Honiara, which is where the XVII Pacific Games sailing events are being held, to check out the local conditions.

"We arrived on Wednesday evening and have been out at the sailing venue, Iumi Water Park, every day to get a bit of an idea of the conditions," said Ms. Ripley. "There's been a mixed bag so far and the forecast for our first races on Monday is reading something different from what we've been seeing these past three days.

"The people of Guadalcanal Province and the team from Solomon Islands Sailing Association have been most welcoming, especially Geoffrey Baragamu. We are grateful for the opportunity to compete against the Pacific's best and we are looking forward to having some fun out there."

The women's sailing competition kicks off from this Monday to Saturday in the coming week while the men's commences next Sunday and runs for the duration of the last week of November to 2 December 2023.