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Balance field in long distance races
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- Napu’s junior men’s team head to the shore after completing a race in the 16th Mau Fatuul Classic held over the weekend. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
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- Saipan Paddling Club members push the pace as they near the finish line during last weekend’s 16th Mau Fatuul Classic. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The long-course competition in the 16th Mau Fatuul Classic turned out to be a balance one as no team dominated last Sunday’s races.
In the adults division, there was a split with Marianas Outrigger Club and Saipan Paddling Club topping the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. MOC completed the race from the Chamolinian Utt to Managaha and back in 1:14:11 to beat SPC’s 1:20:50. In the women’s division, SPC came in first after clocking in at 1:33:14 against the 1:36:54 of Marianas Pacific Paddlers.
In the juniors division, there were also different first place winners. Napu Outrigger Canoe Club won the junior men after finishing the race from Chamolinian Utt to Quartermaster Road and back in 35:39, nearly two minutes ahead of SPC, which crossed the finish line at the 37:28 mark. Earlier in junior women’s category, SPC timed in at 41:33 for a more than seven-minute lead against Napu, which submitted 48:40.
Meanwhile, a standup paddling competition took place after the outrigger canoe races.
In the 6 to 9 age group, Iris Rasa and Tyler Andrew were the top finishers, while Iris older sister Kaya won the girls 10 to 15 division, beating Rachel Tudela. In the boys 10 to 15, Vincent Tudela was the champion.
In the women’s 16 to 29 age group, Reaven Jei Cruz led the finishers and was joined in the Top 3 by Zia Buniag and Thia Seman, while Joshua Andrew prevailed in the men’s field after downing John Tudela and Daniel Kaipat.
In the 30 and over division, Merissa Rasa and Robin Sapong took the top honors. Merissa defeated Sandy Leon Guerrero, while Sapong edged Ponce Rasa and Ron Chisato.
This year’s Mau Fatuul Classic was organized by Napu and SUP SPN. The organizers would like to thank the following for their support in the weekend event: Best Sunshine International, Carolinian Affairs Office, Mau Piailug’s family, TSL Foundation, DCCA Arts and Council, Marianas Variety, Win Win Way, KKMP, IT&E, Windsurfing Saipan, IP&E Shell, Saipan Aloha Maid/Budweiser, Let’s Go, Saipan Apparel, PDI, Reps. Ramon Tebuteb, Vince Sablan, Ralph Yumul, Felicidad Ogumoro, Roman Benavente, J.P. Sablan, Edmund Villagomez, and B.J. Attao, House Speaker Ralph Demapan, Senate vice president Arnold Palacios, PADFEd, and Cultura Athletics.
