Samoa’s Olympic sailor Vaimo’oi’a Astrid Ripley will compete this week at the 2026 Oceania Championships in Tahiti, representing Samoa in the ILCA 6 class alongside some of the region’s top sailors.
Hosted by the Yacht Club de Tahiti in ʻĀrue from 26–30 May 2026, the Championships will bring together competitors from across Oceania, including Fiji, the Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand. The regatta is officially recognised under the Oceania Sailing Federation (OSAF), the regional association affiliated with World Sailing.
The event is considered an important regional milestone ahead of the 2027 Pacific Games, with organisers noting the Championships will help validate race formats, venue operations and competition pathways for future international events. The ILCA class — the Olympic class sailed by Ripley — is also the official class selected for the 2027 Pacific Games.
Ripley, who became Samoa’s first female Olympic sailor at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, said she was excited to continue building momentum toward the next Olympic cycle while competing against strong regional talent in French Polynesia.
“It’s always special representing Samoa on the international stage, especially in the Pacific,” Ripley said.
“Events like this are incredibly important for the development of sailing in Oceania and for Pacific athletes to gain high-level racing experience close to home.”
“Tahiti has a strong ocean culture and sailing heritage, so I’m really looking forward to competing there and connecting with other sailors from across the region.”
Ripley also acknowledged the support of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC), whose funding assistance helped make participation at the Championships possible.
“I’m incredibly grateful to SASNOC for their continued support of my sailing campaign and for backing Samoan athletes competing internationally,” Ripley said.
The Oceania Championships are expected to feature a range of Olympic and youth sailing classes, including ILCA, Optimist and Windsurfing divisions. The event also continues growing regional collaboration and participation in sailing throughout the Pacific.
Ripley is currently campaigning toward qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games while also advocating for greater pathways and opportunities for Pacific sailors.
