The weather will be the deciding factor for the Flag Day Fautasi Committee to make a call on whether to hold fautasi races tomorrow.During another meeting of fautasi captains called by the Fautasi Committee this afternoon, its been decided that the first heat will start around 9am with the boats that were to race in the second heat today, but was called off.
The rest of the fautasi will be in the second heat to follow immediately after the first race.
The first heat will have:
Lane 1: Fuao from Vatia
Lane 2: Paepaeulupo’o from Aua
Lane 3: Matasaua from Manu’a
Lane 4: Manulele Tausala II
Lane 5: Manulele
For the second heat:
Lane 1: Fealofani Samoa from Fagasa
Lane 2: Tama o le Muaau from Faleniu
Lane 3: Aeto from Pago Pago
Lane 4: Iseula o le Moana from Fagatogo
Lane 5: Fetu o le Afiafi from Fagaalu
Land 6: Lady Taema from the the village of Leone.
Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga who led the meeting this evening has set the course of the race; if the planned course, a few miles outside the harbor to in front of Asco Motors is not safe, the race would start from just off Aua.
Lemanu, who had captained the ASG fautasi Sinapioa on Wednesday, took charge of the Fautasi Race Committee today,
Two fautasi, Fetu o le Afiafi from Fagaalu and Matasaua from Manu’a, which had rowed out to the starting line for today’s races were forced to turn back because their fautasi couldn’t handle the high surf.
If all goes well with the two heats, the finals will also be held Saturday. The six fautasi with the fastest times from the two heats will race for the championships while the rest will have their own race.
Several skippers suggested having the finals next Monday with the captain of the Fuao, Senate President Gaoteote Palaie suggesting that two hours of the Flag Day program on that day be spent on the fautasi races.
The weather reports however may put that plan to rest.
According to the Weather Bureau, the forecast calls for weather to improve tomorrow but on Sunday evening it will turn foul again.
At today’s meeting, Nu’uuli village leader, Senator Soliai Tuipine wanted the committee to call off the races altogether and asked if there was any harm in cancelling the Flag Day fautasi races.
He advised the committee to consider the safety of the people involved.
Soliai felt that the races are being forced when there’s uncertainty with the weather and he’s concerned for their boys safety.
Nu’uuli is entering two fautasi for the 2016 Flag Day regatta.
Even before the Race Committee had called off the second heat today, Nuuuli lifted their fautasi back to shore, an indication it was not going to race, out of safety concerns.
Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega encouraged Soliai to set aside his worries, to be courageous and leave it all in the committee’s hands.
