Manulele Tausala from Nuuuli is the 2023 Flag Day Fautasi Champion. According to our commentators Doug Fuimaono and Faafetai Loli, who were on the DMWR vessel, the Manulele and Paepaeulupo from Aua were neck and neck in the opening minutes of the race.
Then Manulele Captain Taufetee Manutafea and his crew started pulling away.
Nu’uuli
The Lady Bird crossed the finish line, two fautasi lengths in front of Skipper Utaifeau Leonard Liufau and his crew.
Fagasa’s Fealofani Samoa, with skipper Atuatasi Aga Seigafo, finished in third place; Aeto from Pago Pago with the youngest captain Henry Sesepasara Jr. at the helm, placed 4th; and the last to reach the finish line was Fagatogo’s Iseula, captained by Taesalialii Lefiti.
Matasaua
The race didn’t end well for Leone’s Taema, with Captain Senator Faiivae Alex Iuli and the Matasaua from Manu’a, captained by Senator Malaepule Saite Moliga.
About 5 minutes into the race, the long boats took on water and began to sink.
Our commentators say, rescue crews from the Department of Search and Rescue rendered help and everyone was brought back to shore safely.
