Jen/Dayna, Carter/Ben top V1 relays

Dayna Macaranas and Jenisha Dubrall topped the open women V1 mile relay, while Carter Calma and Ben Olopai were the fastest in the open men V1 relay during the ongoing 2024 Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation season last Saturday.

The V1 relay course was from the outer tank off the waters of Kilili Beach to the Susupe tank next to the Sugar Dock and back to Kilili Beach. Each team consisted of two paddlers per team—one paddler did one lap, while the other paddled the second lap. They have individual times as well as combined times.

Macaranas was up first and clocked in at 23:07.20, while Dubrall clocked in at 22:03.00. Their combined total time was 45:10.20 which was enough for first place.

Second was Lori Rabe and Sakura Halstead with a total time of 47:12.00. Rabe clocked in at 22:31.40, while Halstead came in at 25:02.60.

Third went to Erryne Dasalla and Vinalynn Oronigo with a combined time of 49:55.10. Dasalla clocked in at 25:45.90, while Oronigo finished at 24:11.20.

In the open men’s division, Calma and Olopai were the fastest with a time of 38:13.30. Calma sped into the finish line with a time of 18:16.90, and Olopai clocked in at 19:57.40.

Dan Taitano and Maverick Itibus secured second place with a combined time of 38:28.40. Taitano finished with 19:24.20, and Itibus had a time of 19:04.20.

Third place was the father-and-son duo of Justin and Tyler Andrew who finished at 39:42.60. Tyler went first and clocked in at 19:02.00, while Justin had a time of 20:40.60.

In the junior girls, it was just the duo of Emma Chong and Alana Hayes. They came in at 46:33.50. Chong made it back with a time of 22:15.90, while Hayes clocked in at 24:18.60.

NMNPSF president Justin Andrew said of the season so far that started in January: “The season is going as planned according to our 2024 calendar—everyone, at any level, is taking part in the races so that is great.”

On how this prepares CNMI paddlers for the upcoming 24th Annual Micronesia Cup Canoe Race this October, he said, “Just being busy training, preparing, and racing the local races is already a good way to prepare for the upcoming Micro Cup.”

The next slated race is on Sept. 21; then Oct. 5-6; then Saipan will host the 24th Annual Micronesia Cup Canoe Race from Oct. 18-20; then they cap off the season with a 6- to 8-mile race in all categories on Dec. 14.

More details of the 24th Annual Micronesia Cup Canoe Race will be posted in the next issues of Saipan Tribune.