Saipan paddlers dominate long distance races
CNMI’s paddlers made a big splash in the return of the Micronesia Cup Canoe Race to Saipan as they wrapped up the 24th edition with a dominant performance in long distance races on the final day last Sunday in the waters of Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
The long-distance courses featured a 10-mile course for V6 open men and open women divisions; an 8-mile course for V6 masters and open mix, and a 7.4-mile course for V6 juniors and V1 divisions.
The up-and-coming young paddlers from Saipan Paddling Club showed out once again as SPC 2 won gold in the V6 junior mix finals with a time of 8:49.86. Silver went to SPC 1 at 9:43.93, while Guam’s Haggan Junior won bronze at 10:04.97.
SPC’s junior women V6 team blew everyone out of the water in their race with their time of 1:12:08.30. Silver was Guam’s Puti’on Tasi at 1:14:36.40, and bronze went to Guam’s Taotao Galaide at 1:20:40.30
In the V6 junior men’s finals, SPC churned water like there’s no tomorrow and bagged gold after they clocked in at 1:03:18.60. Silver went to Puti’on Tasi at 1:07:49.90, while Taotao Galaide settled for bronze at 1:11:18.50.
Tyler Andrew of SPC outpaced everyone in the V1 junior men’s finals with his time of 1:15:45.70. The battle for silver was a close one as SPC’s Philip Aldan secured it at 1:17:26.90, while SPC’s Yuling Chai won bronze at 1:17:39.80.
As for the V6 open women finals, Marianas Outrigger Club Black won gold by a hair at 1:36:28.00, while silver was Marianas Pacific Paddlers with their time of 1:36:37.00. Bronze went to Guam’s Napu club at 1:36:55.00.
In the V1 open men finals, MOC’s Maverick Itibus was golden with a time of 1:11:33.40. Silver went to SPC’s Carter Calma at 1:13:43.10, while MOC’s Dan Taitano settled for bronze with 1:18:08.60.
MOC’s V6 masters men team bagged bronze at 9:13.50 over Guam’s Bihun Tasi with 9:23.93.
In the V6 master’s mixed race, MPP beat out Bihun Tasi for gold with a time of 1:27.36.00. Bihun Tasi finished at 1:32:18.20.
For the V1 master’s women’s race, MPP’s Maria Ornes was the lone paddler who came in at 1:34:54.70.
In other results, in the V1 junior women’s race, Puti’on Tasi’s Kayla Rivera won gold at 1:29:48.00. Dina Soriano won silver with 1:31:14.00, while SPC’s Emma Chong bagged bronze at 1:35:05.70.
For the V1 open women finals, Napu’s Kia Quichocho was golden at 1:29:10.10. SPC’s Jenisha Dubrall paddled to silver at 1:29:20.70, and MOC’s Ashley Pangelinan was bronze at 1:36:36.30.
In the V1 master’s men’s finals, Taotao Galaide’s Jason Park won gold at 1:13:30.40, while MOC’s Jason Tarkong was silver at 1:19:30.30.
In the V6 open mixed finals, Guam’s Maneran Galaide bagged gold at 1:13:41.90; Napu won silver at 1:18:32.30; and Majol Canoe Club won bronze with 1:21:39.50.
And in the open men’s finals, Maneran Galaide claimed gold at 1:21:07.00. Silver went to MOC Red at 1:21:47.00, and Taotao Galaide settled for bronze at 1:22:43.50.
Tarkong, who was one of MOC’s coaches, said of the races so far last Saturday, “It’s really nice to see this community here and the future [of paddling]. It moves fast—while the others are racing, we have canoes ready to go, so it moves a lot faster.”
He added, “It’s been a while since we had a masters division in the Micro Cup… But these conditions here, the canoes, and the gear have been really fantastic. Having it ready and well run, I want to thank the MPP, MOC, SPC, the organizers and the volunteers… and the sponsors.”
The CNMI teams were Marianas Outrigger Club, Saipan Paddling Club, and Marianas Pacific Paddlers.
The teams from Guam include Animun Tasi, Bihun Tasi, Haggan Jrs., Maneran Galaide, Napu, PFM, Poksai Canoe Club, Puti’on Tasi, and Taotao Galaide.
The lone team from the Republic of Marshall Island that made the long trip to Saipan is the Majol Canoe Paddling Club.
NMNPSF would like to thank the following sponsors: Tan Holdings, Tan Siu Lin Foundation, Crowne Plaza, IT&E, MARPAC, Marianas Visitors Authority, Turnkey Solutions, The Athlete’s Foot, Paradise Realty Saipan, Marianas Pacific Paddlers, Micronesia Brokers, H.K. Pangelinan & Associates, LLC, Coca Cola, UR Tents, Northern Marianas College’s media team, Hafa Adai Rent A Car, and Herman’s Bakery.
Special thanks to the Saipan Mayor’s Office, Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services, Division of Parks & Recreations, Rep. John Paul Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Vince Castro, Next Level Media CNMI, Christopher Toto, Angie Yarormad, CNMI Designs, KKMP, Pacific Development, Inc., Chamolinian Cultural Village Inc., Wiski Services, 500 Sails, Pualani Crown, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, I Napu Dance Group, Da Kine, Tipiyew Bwiibwis, and Asia Hilario.
Marianas Outrigger Club V6 women’s team poses with their coach Jason Tarkong, far right last Saturday during the 24th Micronesian Cup Canoe Race at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
-LEIGH GASES
Marianas Pacific Paddlers V6 women’s team poses for a group photo last Saturday during the 24th Micronesian Cup Canoe Race at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
-LEIGH GASES
Marianas Pacific Paddlers V6 men’s team poses for a group photo last Saturday during the 24th Micronesian Cup Canoe Race at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
-LEIGH GASES
Some members of the Saipan Pacific Paddlers V6 men’s team pose for a group photo last Saturday during the 24th Micronesian Cup Canoe Race at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
-LEIGH GASES
Teams are seen on the shore of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan coming in and heading out the during the 24th Micronesian Cup Canoe Race last Saturday.
-LEIGH GASES
Marianas Outrigger Club’s V6 masters team paddles back to shore last Saturday during the 24th Micronesian Cup Canoe Race at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
-LEIGH GASES
Marianas Pacific Paddlers master paddler Maria Ornes paddles into shore last Friday during the 24th Micronesia Cup Canoe Race at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan.
-LEIGH GASES
