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Pago Pago, American Samoa— Yesterday, eight fautasi longboats took to the water for the second time to compete in the Blue Sky 25th Anniversary July 4th Regatta. The race was not without its challenges for the captains and crews, with at least one fautasi withdrawing from the race before it even started and another taking on water due to sea conditions. At one point, the oars of two fautasi got tangled, leading to a heated argument between the parties.
Due to adverse weather conditions and concerns for the safety of the skipper and crew, the race started at the shoreline near the Fagatogo Maraloa Marina.
Initially, nine fautasi longboats were planned to compete, but unfortunately for the residents of the village of Vatia, their supporters, and especially the captain and crew of the “Fua’ō” from Vatia, they encountered some problems during the final training, which eventually led to the fautasi splitting in two.
The incident occurred across from the Utulay DDW restaurant in Pago Pago Bay, and marine patrol and search and rescue personnel were on scene to assist the crew in returning to land.
During yesterday’s regatta, eight skippers gathered in the sea opposite the ASPA compound in Satala before they slowly made their way towards the starting line at the TAOA office opposite the Malaloa Marina.
The 2-mile race was scheduled to start at 7:30 a.m. but did not begin until 8:05 a.m.
This delay is an ongoing problem every year as the rowing committee struggles to ensure all boaters are lined up behind the starting line.
In a pre-race meeting with the fautasi captains, the committee stressed that the race would not start unless all fautasi lined up equally in their respective lanes behind the starting line.
After a 35-minute delay, during which some boats were asked to return to the back of the starting line, the committee was finally satisfied and raised the green flag. At the same time, the VHF radio sounded the horn, indicating that the race had begun.
As the fautasi crews paddled hard, sending the eight fautasi hurtling forward, the anxious spectators cheered loudly.
Three boats, Nu’uuli Manulele Lowrider, Fagasa Fealofani Samoa and Aua Paepaeulupo’o, took the lead at the start and put up a good fight for the lead.
Behind them are Pago Pago Eto, Nuuli Manule Tausala, Ilili Lupelai, Fagatogo Iseiula and Manu’a Matasawa.
The top three fautasi fought fiercely until they reached opposite the main pier in Fagatogo, where Fealofani Samoa began to slowly advance to take a 12-place lead.
Behind them came Aeto, then Lupelele and Matasaua, with Matasaua having already passed Manulele Tausala, and Iseula fighting hard behind to get into the race.
Meanwhile, at the front, Fealofani Samoa led by 12 places, trying to pull away from Manulele Lowrider and Paepaeulupo’o. The big question was whether Fealofani could maintain their lead as they headed out of calm waters and towards the end of Pago Pago Bay where the sea would start to get rough.
In order to prevent Fealofani from getting away, the Manulele Lowrider and Paepaeulupo’o teams paddled frantically, fighting for first place.
Manulele Lowrider began to slowly approach Paepaeulupo’o, with the gap being only two or three seats, but Paepaeulupo’o did not give up and soon made up the temporarily lost distance.
Manulele Tausala- Low Rider is the unofficial winner of the Bluesky 25th Anniversary July 4th Regatta. However, the Fautasi Committee announced yesterday that the official results will not be released until drone footage of the race is reviewed – expected today. The total purse is $60,000, of which $10,000 will go to the winner. (Photo: American Samoa Visitors Bureau)
However, Fealofani Samoa began to run into problems as the sea opposite the old site of the Rainmaker Hotel started to become rough and they gradually lost momentum.
Meanwhile, Lowrider sensed Fealofani’s predicament, recovered, and began to slowly move forward, passing the 12 Fealofani seats until he was completely clear of Fealofani and Paepaeulupo’o.
After losing their hard-earned lead, Fealofani Samoa ran into further trouble when their oars became entangled with those of Paepaeulupo’o. The problem escalated further with heated arguments and accusations between the two teams.
Finally, the Fialofani crew sank, their boat capsized and floating upside down, clinging to the hull as police and marine patrol officers rushed to rescue them.
Meanwhile, Manulele Lowrider was paddling confidently towards victory.
The other fautasi saw that they had a chance to move into the top three and took advantage of it, paddling hard.
The Matasaua car from Manu’a was at the back of the pack at the start but made an amazing effort in the end to overtake the Aeto car and take second place, while the Aeto car took third place.
Aeto, Lupelele and Matasaua during the Blue Sky 25th Anniversary July 4th Regatta. (Photo: American Samoa Visitors Bureau)
Bluesky announced that the regatta committee will review drone footage of the race and will announce official results sometime today.
Blue Sky has allocated a total of $60,000 in prize money for the competition, of which the champion will receive $10,000, second place will receive $8,000, third place will receive $6,000, and the remaining fautasi will receive $4,000 each.
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