The Samoan sailor received a top rank in the Australia Champioship

Samoan very own Vaimo’oi’a Astrid Ripley has claimed first place winning the Radial Apprentice division at the Laser Masters Australian Champs at Westernport Yacht Club in Victoria last week (25 – 28 February 2022).

After four days of intense racing Ripley was pleased with her overall performance saying that it was an interesting venue with little bit of everything from currents and tides to low.

She was grateful for the support of her family and fans.

" I am very grateful of the support from loved ones, family and friends who believe in me, and believe in this crazy dream and have helped make sure I could compete,”

“Every day on the water is an opportunity to improve and I feel blessed to have sailed alongside seasoned sailors from around Australia.

"The Master sailors have years of valuable sailing experience that they have gained from around the world and they are open to sharing this knowledge, which is what I really treasured the most from this experience,”

President of the Australia Laser Class Association and Laser Asia Pacific Ken Hurling OAM said the event was a success with a final number of 111 participants from around Australia .

The president of the ALCA said “We are happy the event went ahead while remaining COVID-safe,”

“It was exceptional to have Samoa amongst the fleet, to have one of our neighbouring islands from the Pacific compete, bringing our countries closer through sailing,"

Samoa Sailing’s Association President and Vice-Commodore to Apia Yacht Club, Raema von Reiche expressed appreciation for Ripley's efforts.

“Sailing is a tough sport – a resilient sport - and we are proud that Vaimo’oi’a is still going ahead full throttle in Australia,”

“We are pleased to also celebrate the athlete’s win ahead of International Day of Women this Tuesday (8 March). Celebrating Samoan women who are capable of anything that they set their minds to,”

“We hope that by having a Samoan sailor in Australia will further open doors of discussions between our sailing communities in Samoa and Australia,” von Reiche ended.

Ripley is currently training to compete at the ILCA 6 Master Worlds in Mexico in June 2022.

Born and raised in Samoa, Ripley is an international athlete who has previously represented Samoa in the Oceania Optimist Games 2001 and 2003, Pacific Games 2007 and 2019, Touch Rugby World Cup 2018, Women’s Radial World Championships 2021, and ACT / NSW State Championships 2022.