Last weekend featured two races, one OC6 and the premier world OC1 championship race between Moloka’i and ‘Oahu.
From Keaukaha 5 crews set out in the sunny (read hot) Kawaihae waters with a slight northerly breeze. This race tends to bring out the Big Island hammahs and this race was no exception as the competition stepped it up. The course was the same for both divisions and the women crews started the day off on this 9 mile race towards red hill and back.
Women’s Open crew launched off the start line and battled their way to 2nd in their division only a 1 minute behind first.
The lack of a novice division inspired 2 women’s 40 crews, one with veteran paddlers and the 2nd with novice crew. The first W40 crew hammered into 4nd Place a mere 30 seconds behind a podium finish. And the W40/Novice crew rose to the challenge and completed the 9 miles in 1:35:25 a quick pace for any novice crew in the open waters. Great job and good training for this season.
We also had 2 M40’s crews on the water. Our first crew placing 10th overall and 2nd in the division. And our 2nd crew (mostly 50’s) placing 16th overall and 4th in the division.
A quick glance at the overall results reveals some tough 50’s competition for this coming season with Kawaihae 50’s finishing less than 1 minute behind the top open teams at 4th overall.
Two teams were disqualified for mounting cameras on their canoes. This is no longer allowed by HCRA you can only wear a camera.
Full results are posted here:
https://hcrapaddler.com/hcra_ld_results.php?view=byplace&rid=968
Molo Solo (Pa’a Kaiwi Solo)
The race that is largely considered the world championship of OC1 racing, the Molo Solo took place on Sunday.
This race features some of the biggest names in outrigger paddling around the world. It’s a 31 mile race with one paddler per OC1 canoe. No changes. No mercy.
Keaukaha Ali’i Youderian charged to a division first place and in the top 20 beating some of the world’s best. Our own Mario Mausio bought his ticket and charged the channel breaking the top 30. Amazing!
The top 3 overall OC1 winners are Danny Ching (40th Birthday during the race), Millon Manutea, and Tuteraii Hoatua.
