American Samoa is fielding a women’s paddling team and individual male paddlers to the World Championship Long Distance Outrigger Canoe races in Apia.
These are the first long distance races since 2019 with more than 1000 paddlers from 26 countries. The races begins Friday, Samoa time.
The masters women V6 team are:
- Paula Stevenson McDonald
- Katrina Mariner
- Sandra Ho Ching
- Luaao Wasko
- Vaegaau Fe’a
- Sala McGuire
They will do battle in the women’s 24 km 7:30am, Friday, Samoa time.
Sala, Paula, Katrina and Luaao have raced in IVF events in the past.
The one man competitors are:
- Eugene Tuimaualuga in the V1 Open 16 km
- James Tamasese racing in the 16 km for two divisions: Masters 40 and Masters 50.
- John Goeke racing in the V1 12 km Masters 70.
The course is basically a 12 km triangle starting and ending in Apia Harbor. The triangle will be adjusted to accommodate the 12 and 16 k races, so that each race is two circuits around its course.
The Apia race committee has gone all out to prepare a world class event and the event will occupy the entire government building peninsula in downtown Apia.
The board of the American Samoa Association of Paddlers wishes our team all the best.
Photo: A team from Samoa in training/Samoa Observer
