Editor's note: This is the second article of a series of 11 that will feature CNMI teams set to compete in the 7th Micronesian Games in Palau.
The CNMI Men's Outrigger Canoe Team is settling for no less than Top 3 finishes in its events in the 7th Micronesian Games in Palau next month.
“We're in it to win it. The CNMI should medal in the canoeing events. I expect us to be in the Top 3 in all events we are competing in and of course we like the gold best,” team captain Richard Sikkel said.
Joining Sikkel on the team are Gilbert Birnbrich, Jason Tarkong, Eric Deleon Guerrero McDuff, Jesse Camacho Santos, David Barnhouse, Jr., Peter Michael Tenorio, Eldred Sanchez, and James Sirok. Birnbrich and Sirok are the team manager and race official, respectively, but they are also eligible to race in the outrigger canoe competition in Palau.
Outrigger canoe races will be held on Aug. 6 and 7 from the Meyuns Seaplane Ramp. The Ngermid Dock area is the alternate venue for the outrigger canoe competition, which will have 11 events, namely the men's V6 500m sprint, V1 500m sprint, V6 1,500m sprint, V6 20km long distance, and V1 15km long distance and the women's V6 500m sprint, V1 500m sprint, V6 1,500m, V6 15km long distance, and V1 10km long distance.
“Some of our paddlers might compete in the V1 events, so there's also a chance for individual successes. We train four days a week. Our sprints are looking good, but I especially like our chances in the long distance,” said Sikkel, who picked Guam and Palau as the Commonwealth's tough rivals in the Micro Games.
“They have a well organized outrigger programs and a lot of talent to choose from. We're most familiar with Guam and Palau, but I expect some of the other nations to pull off an upset,” Sikkel added.
Palau swept the overall championship in the outrigger canoe competition during the 2006 Micronesian Games on Saipan, winning six gold medals. The Palauan paddlers ruled the men's and women's marathon and the 500m and 1,500m races. Guam did not field a team in the 2006 Micro Games.
The CNMI claimed bronze medals in the men's marathon and men's 500m race. Pohnpei won the silver in the men's and women's marathon and 1,500m race, and bronze in the women's 500m race. Yap notched a bronze in the men's 500m race, while Kosrae brought home a silver (women's 500m) and bronze (women's 1,500m).
This year, Palau, Guam, Yap, and Pohnpei all have men's and women's teams, while Kosrae has only a women's squad. The Marshall Islands listed no canoe teams in its delegation.
The CNMI paddlers will travel to Palau for the Micro Games on Aug. 3, leaving them with less than two weeks more to put the finishing touches on their preparation for the quadrennial meet.
“The team is ready and looking forward to compete,” Sikkel said.
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