Over the course of three days and after blessings for canoes and safe passage, athletes from the region competed in the 23rd Annual Micronesia Cup paddling races. The cherished event was hosted by the Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation and the Haggan Outrigger Canoe Club.
With dozens of heats and tides to contend with, the Micronesia Cup was a resounding success, fun, and well-organized.
“From the feedback we received from all the coaches and paddlers that participated this weekend, they all were impressed about how smoothly the races went,” said GKCF board member Melanie Escobar. “Due to the tides coming in late in the morning and with the number of races we had in the day, everyone thought the races would end late but we managed to still finish by 5 p.m.”
“Us organizers could not have done it without our volunteers/officials to help run the races during the three-day event,” she said, adding that the meet was a welcome tuneup “prior to the Micro Cup so that we know what would work and what … needed to be fixed.”
With more than 250 competitors, the event kicked off Friday with va’a rudderless races at Matapang Beach in Tumon. On Saturday, also at Matapang, the six-person 500-meter races carved through the beautiful, coastal waters off Guam’s shores. On Sunday, competition concluded with a marathon race, which had paddlers testing their mettle but covering distance after leaving to and from the Hagåtña Boat Basin.
On Saturday afternoon, in the men’s V6 1,000-meter final, Saipan Paddling Club delivered a gold-medal performance and finished the race in 5 minutes, 39.4 seconds. Close in Saipan’s wake, Napu, in 5:48.20, placed second. Taotao Galaide, in just under six minutes (5:59.81) earned the third spot on the podium.
In the junior boys race, with two teams competing in the race, Saipan Paddling Club’s 6:06.46 was the fastest time in the division. Puti’on Tasi, in 6:13.08, cruised their way to a silver-medal finish.
On the adult mixed division, Marianas Outrigger Canoe Club, in 6:15.75, topped the podium. Less than five seconds later (6:20.34), Taotao Galaide Ma’aksom placed second. Team Guam, in 6:21.12, placed third.
In the women’s 1,000-meter race, Marianas Outrigger Canoe Club, in 6:26.77, were the quickest in the division. Saipan Paddling Club, about 11 seconds behind (6:37.71), earned the silver medal. Marianas Pacific Paddlers Blue, in 6:45.19, placed third.
Competing in the junior girls 1,000-meters, Puti’on Tasi, in 6:47.30, placed first. Saipan Paddling Club, the other team in the division, finished in 7:12.28 and received the silver medal.
Beginning Sunday morning at the Hagåtña Boat Basin, seven men’s teams, six women’s teams, and six mixed-gender teams competed in the distance race. Athletes in the men’s and women’s races completed 10-mile journeys, while those racing in the mixed division completed 8-mile races. Each team began the race in Hagåtña, paddled north, then turned around for the long trip back to Hagåtña.
In the men’s division, in 1:36:35.90, Marianas Outrigger Canoe Club delivered the fastest overall time and won the gold medal. Less than 20 seconds behind MOCC, Napu (1:36:54.52) earned a second-place finish. Saipan Paddling Club, in 1:38:01.84, placed third.
In the women’s race, in 1:52:35.93, Animun Tasi Metgot were the fastest females. Less than two seconds later, in nearly a dead heat, MOCC (1:52:37.87) placed second. Around three minutes after the one-two finish, MPP Blue, in 1:55:11.99, received the bronze medal.
In the mixed division, in 1:37:47.83, Napu earned the top of the podium. Team Guam, in 1:38:23.46, placed second. Less than four minutes later, MOCC finished in 1:42:12.16 in third place.