Rain with a little bit of wind is forecast for tomorrow morning when seven fautasi battle it out in the 2023 Flag Day Fautasi Race.
Meteorologist Dora Leiato Meredith says seas will be 4 to 6 feet with 10-15 mile per hour winds, which means sea conditions won’t be like glass but still good for a fautasi race.
“Tomorrow’s weather will be pretty much like today’s,” she said.
The Fautasi Race Committee is sticking to its plan for a 7AM start, but how long the race will be will depend on the weather.
Plan A is to have a 7-mile race if the weather is fine.
But if it turns foul, there’s a Plan B and a Plan C.
Fautasi Race Committee Chairman Archie Taotasi Soliai said, “If the weather is bad tomorrow and too rough for the 7-mile race course originally planned, then we will move the starting point to just inside the entry into the harbor at the red buoy.” That’s Plan B.
“If it is too rough to start from there, then we will start the race from, Aua village at Amuula green buoy,” said Soliai. That’s Plan C.
“Lord, willing, the weather will be safe for the race tomorrow.”
Village taupuaiga has been high and the names and colors of their fautasi are on roadside boards, Tshirts, lavalavas, caps, cars and even some aiga buses.
Village chiefs and church ministers have given their blessings to the captains and crews at church services, some praying together this past Sunday, others were held earlier this week, and some are gathering for prayers this evening,
A recap of the fautasi lanes for tomorrow:
- Lane 1 closest to the airport Taema, Leone captained by Senator Faiivae Alex Iuli
- Lane 2 Fealofani, Fagasa with skipper Atuatasi Aga Seigafo
- Lane 3 Matasaua, Manu’a captained Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga
- Lane 4 Aeto, Pago Pago with Henry Sesepasara Jr. at the helm
- Lane 5 Manulele Tausala, Nuuuli with captain Taufetee Manutafea
- Lane 6 Paepaeulupoo, Aua with captain Utaifeau Leonard Liufau
- Lane 7 closest to Aunuu, Iseula o le Moana, Fagatogo captained by Taisalealii Lefiti.
Our Doug Fuimaono will provide live commentary of the fautasi race on V103, and the race will also be streamed on the V103 FaceBook page.
Good luck and a safe race to all captains and crews!
Photo: South Pacific Water Sports
