At the final meeting of the Flag Day Fautasi committee and captains held today, Committee Chairman Archie Taotasi Soliai stressed that the committee depends on the cooperation of all captains for a safe, fair, and successful race.
He said the Committee has high hopes that events which marred long boat races in the past, will not be repeated. 
All fautasi are to be at the starting lane which is 7 miles out, weather permitting, by 6:30AM. Soliai asked that fautasi stick to this schedule when they make their way out to the starting line; and avoid what’s happened in the past where some are at the starting line an hour or more prior to the starting time, before getting anxious for the race to start.
There will be 7 jet skis at the starting line and all fautasi must be behind them. The race is to start at 7AM and once all fautasi are lined up, the jet skis will move out and horns will sound off simultaneously from the Manu’atele, the tugboat, Search and Rescue jet ski and DMWR vessels, to signal the start of the race.
The prizes for the fautasi race are:
- 1st:-$20,000 and Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid Perpetual Cup: Donated by GHC Reid and Samoa Ford Motors
- 2nd- $17,000
- 3rd-$15,000
- 4th-$13,000
- 5th-$10,000
- 6th-$8,000
- 7th-$6,000
The Chairman also announced that all motorized vessels/boats will be prohibited from participating as spectators during the race. Only authorized vessels will be allowed to be on the water, as designated by the Department of Search and Rescue (SAR) during the race. Any violators will be issued a citation by the Marine Patrol division. The reason is to ensure that no motorized vessel interferes with the fautasi crews during the race.
The SAR Marine Patrol division has the authority to enforce this prohibition under ASCA Title 20.
The Co-Chairs of the Flag Day Committee, Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale and Secretary of Samoan Affairs Mauga Tasi Asuega, also, addressed the fautasi captains stressing that their role in ensuring a successful and safe race is vital.
