Paloma Arrigo wins the 2026 ILCA 6 Pacific Coast Championships at Coronado Yacht Club

Paloma Arrigo wins the 2026 ILCA 6 Pacific Coast Championships at Coronado Yacht Club

by Paloma Arrigo 28 Apr 09:43 EST
17-19 April 2026

On April 17-19, I competed within the 2026 ILCA 6 Pacific Coast Championships at Coronado Yacht Club. It was a extremely enjoyable three days with a pleasant breeze (12-18 knots).

Representing Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, and Coconut Grove Sailing Club, I’m excited to share that I gained the ILCA 6 class general (together with 1st feminine).

Tactical intelligence

An enormous a part of this end result got here from higher decision-making on the water. Over the previous two years, I’ve centered on enhancing my techniques and race selections to raised place myself and leverage the fleet.

Throughout the weekend, the circumstances had been very tough and shifty. It was breezy with flat water, so whereas boat velocity was crucial, being on prime of the shifts was much more so. My coach John Bertrand (USA) pioneered the idea of Tactical Intelligence on the race course. I’m studying from him in a wide range of circumstances. Coronado was good with good breeze, eight races and a flat water race observe the place techniques in shifts and fleet place turned extra essential than crusing by chop and waves.

My fundamental focus was staying on the numbers (compass), wanting forward on the course, and sustaining consciousness of the fleet to maintain my positioning below management. The shifts had been unpredictable loads of the time. There had been races the place I felt like I used to be taking part in a facet rather well, just for the opposite to get a large shift on the prime of the course that I could not capitalize on.

Moments like that had been positively irritating, however my boat velocity on the reaches and downwinds allowed me to get better shortly and reduce losses.

Fitness and endurance

At Coronado, in flat water and breeze, boat velocity was key. That type of situation actually rewards consistency & approach, which is the place health performs an enormous position.

Over the course of the regatta, my conditioning helped me keep robust climbing, keep technically sharp, and keep away from any drop-off in efficiency, particularly later within the day. It allowed me to maintain pushing the boat at full velocity whereas nonetheless staying mentally centered on the race.

Thank yous!

Thank you to my coach, John Bertrand, for all of the help and steerage. He’s been an enormous a part of my progress.

Thanks to my household for encouraging me, in addition to NHYC, CBYC, and CGSC for serving to me attend these regattas.

Thanks to Coronado Yacht Club + the race committee for working a fantastic occasion, and to everybody behind the scenes who helps make this potential. Also, to my rivals for making the occasion tremendous aggressive however enjoyable!

Full Results

Looking ahead to constructing on this because the season continues.

Paloma Arrigo

ILCA 6 | USA 226942

Newport Harbor YC – Cabrillo Beach YC – Coconut Grove SC

Corona del Mar High School, class of 2026 | Tulane University Class of 2030