Paloma Arrigo - Sailor Profile, ILCA 6 Clinic, USODA - Another Victory, Video Of The Week
Identifying future stars of the US Sailing Olympic Program, Paloma ticks all the boxes, ODP ILCA6 Clinic, USODA Win, Video of the Week
What I’m Discussing Today:
Paloma Arrigo—Sailor Profile: This 16-year-old ILCA 4 sailor embodies the qualities of a future Olympian. In this two-part profile, Part 1 features an article she wrote about her experience at the 2023 European Championships. Part 2 will explore in detail why she meets all the criteria for becoming an Olympic contender.
ILCA 6 Clinic: Rosie Chapman and Phil Muller aren’t wasting any time turbocharging the Youth and Olympic Development Programs with a second clinic in two weeks, this time for the ILCA 6 sailors.
USODA: Team Happy from the USA won for the second consecutive year the Marco Rizzotti Trophy.
Video of the Week: Frameless Exhibition, London 2024
Paloma Arrigo Sailor Profile - Part 1
ILCA4 Youth European Championships Izola, Slovenia By Paloma Arrigo
I am grateful and honored to have been able to race in the 2023 Youth European ILCA 4 Championships in Izola, Slovenia, as the only USA competitor out of a fleet of 160 girls. Izola is a beautiful, quaint town situated between Croatia and Italy. The regatta occurred in the Gulf of Venice, where we experienced conditions ranging from 1-9 knots with minimal swell to 22-29 knots with 8+ foot swell.
I've learned a lot from competing; it was an excellent opportunity for a big fleet regatta experience. I met many sailors from all over Europe and trained with sailors from Poland, France, and Lithuania under a coach who is the 2023 Polish National Laser Champion. The GBR, NED, LAT, DEN, FIN, and POL sailors were highly skilled and super friendly. Two DEN sailors were in the top ten for the ILCA4 girls. I became very close with the GER sailors, who were very curious about all things American, including my high school. They were pleasantly surprised that cheerleaders and football games are indeed fundamental aspects of American high school!
My objective at this regatta was to improve my performance in large fleets. Throughout the regatta, my starts improved, as did my execution of upwind tactics, which was another goal I had. From competing in the Europeans, I have been able to monitor my improvement to ensure I am on track to perform as well as I can at Worlds.
I'm headed to Viana do Castelo, Portugal, in June 2024 for my second ILCA4 Youth Worlds. At the 2023 Worlds in Volos, Greece, I beat about 20% of the competitors. In the Europeans in Izola, Slovenia, 2024, I made the Silver Fleet and beat 45% of the total competitors. Unfortunately, I had one Black Flag, which set me back, but it was also a big learning experience for me. Gaining a strong position in these big fleets was far from easy. One of the most important things I learned was not to hold back with ferocity on the start line and around the course. From my experience, the European sailors are pretty bold on the course, especially around marks and on the start line. I had to put away my smile and really “bring it” out on the water to see the desired finishes.
Overall, I have gained so much experience from competing in the Europeans. I was able to refine my large fleet skills and tactics and experience a very large range of conditions. I have been able to define what I need to work on from this regatta to make sure I compete at the highest level I can for Worlds this summer. I met many great people, saw old friends, and strengthened my connections in the sailing world. I am so grateful to have been able to compete, and I look forward to future regattas!
Youth and Women’s ILCA 6 Camp in Buzzard’s Bay by Phil Muller
We just concluded the Youth and Women’s ILCA 6 Camp in Buzzard’s Bay, marking the second summer event of 2024 under our new training model. This initiative combines the Youth Performance Program and Olympic Development programs, merging sailors from the Olympic classes with youth under 19 fleets for intensive training and collaboration.
In March, the top youth sailors in the ILCA 6 class competed for a coveted spot at the World Sailing Youth Championships, set to take place this July in Lake Garda. As the pinnacle event in youth racing, only one athlete per class qualifies. Recognizing the depth of talent in America, we've expanded our program’s reach this season.
Last week, the top 12 ILCA 6 boys and girls from the MidWinter’s West were invited to New Bedford Yacht Club. Joining from the Olympic fleet were World Cup champion Charlotte Rose and skilled campaigner Lilly Myers. The camp was led by myself, Rosie Chapman (our new ODP Manager), and Sophia Reineke, a multiple-time collegiate All-American and proven ILCA sailor/coach.
"When I asked Charlotte and Lilly to join the camp, they were delighted. During the camp, they both gave a massive amount back to the next generation," says Rosie Chapman. "Once again, it shows us the importance of knowledge sharing through the system! Seeing so many hardworking female sailors at the camp was also really encouraging. The future is bright."
“It was great being able to train with the up-and-coming generation of sailors. I was so impressed with their skill, drive, and passion for the sport,” comments Lilly Myers.
“I haven’t been back in the boat for over a month, so I was definitely a bit rusty and a bit sore after,” said Charlotte Rose.
Buzzard’s Bay lived up to its reputation with a steep chop and a healthy Seabreeze, providing the perfect conditions for the young sailors to refine new techniques on rig tuning and sailing upwind and downwind. Charlotte and Lilly led insightful conversations, sharing their expertise with the next generation.
Rosie invited Charlotte to the camp with the hope that she would share her experience with the younger ILCA sailors. The focus and eagerness to learn were evident, and the sailors brought a great attitude every day. "I’m excited to see how the Youth [Worlds] Team and U21 Team do this summer,” Rosie added.
Next, the youth fleet moves to Narragansett for another training block in preparation for the US Sailing Youth Championships and Junior Women’s Championships in Bristol, Rhode Island. The momentum from this camp will propel them towards success in their upcoming competitions.
USODA - Team Happy from the USA won the Marco Rizzotti Trophy
Venice, June 9, 2024
Team Happy from the USA won for the second consecutive year the Marco Rizzotti Trophy—International Optimist Class Team Race Venezia, now in its 36th edition. The Compagnia della Vela and Diporto Velico Veneziano organized the event from June 6 to 9 on the stretch of sea between Venice and Cavallino. One of the most prestigious team regattas in the world, 90 youngsters aged 10 to 15 were involved.
18 crews entered, representing 12 countries from three continents. An edition characterized by good weather, which saw the smooth running of the regattas with the 153 matches scheduled, also followed abroad thanks to the results published in real time on the event website.
Team Happy from the USA was presented with the Marco Rizzotti Trophy for first place overall. The Panathlon Club Venezia's “Gianpaolo Righetti” Fair Play Plaque was awarded to the Monaco Yacht Club team for best behavior at sea and to the Thailand team for fair play ashore. For the youngest sailor, the “Giorgio Lauro” Memorial Cup was awarded to Islyn Flynn, 10, of the Key Biscayne YCR team from the United States.