After winning the ILCA 6 Pacific Coast Championship last month, I had the opportunity to spend a week training at the International Sailing Academy Gold Medal Clinic in La Cruz, Mexico. The group included Master sailors and junior ILCA 6 sailors, and we were all there to learn from one of the best sailors in the world, Marit Bouwmeester, a 4-time Olympic medalist in the ILCA 6.
Honestly, it was one of those weeks that reminded me why I love sailing so much. The conditions were incredible. It was 86 degrees every day, the water was warm, and we had 18 knots of breeze almost every afternoon. Pretty hard to complain about that.
But obviously, the best part was getting coached by Marit. Learning from someone sailing at that level in person is completely different from seeing videos online. She notices every tiny detail, and you can immediately tell how much work goes into being that good. At the same time, she was super encouraging and easy to talk to, which made the whole experience even better.
Being around Marit showed how much attention goes into every detail and that every wave, every puff, every shift is an opportunity to gain on the competition. When she jumped into the boat for a downwind session, she made it all look effortless. She was incredibly fast and showed me how much more potential there is in my own downwind speed.
One of the coolest days was when we got towed about 8 miles upwind from La Cruz to Punta de Mita, then sailed all the way back downwind in breeze and waves. It was one of those sessions where you are completely exhausted but also do not want it to end because the sailing is just that good.
The biggest lesson I took away from the week is that talent only goes so far. What separates the best athletes is the amount of work they put into every aspect of their sport. It is fitness, preparation, recovery, learning, mental strength, understanding weather, reading the water, all of it adds up. Learning from Marit made me realize that speed is not just one thing. It comes from doing a lot of small things really well, over and over again.
Leaving La Cruz, I came home with more confidence downwind, more motivation, and a much longer training list. But honestly, I also left feeling inspired. Being around a sailor who is so accomplished makes you want to work even harder, too.
Thank you so much to Marit, the International Sailing Academy, my family, and everyone who helped make this week possible.
Really excited to keep building from here.
Thank you for reading and supporting,
Paloma Arrigo
ILCA 6 | USA 226942
Newport Harbor Yacht Club • Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club • Coconut Grove Sailing Club
CDMHS ’26 | Tulane ’30
