Micro Cup-bound SPC focuses on fine-tuning skills

Members of Saipan Paddling Club’s men’s team head back to the shore after completing the 1,500m heat during a friendly race against Marianas Outrigger Canoe last Saturday in the waters off Kilili Beach. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Saipan Paddling Club is putting the finishing touches on its preparation for the Micro Cup 2016.

“We will still be training this week and next and will be focusing more on techniques and fine-tuning. We depart Thursday next week, so our last day on the water will be Tuesday,” SPC coach Justin Andrew said last weekend after the group joined the warm-up races at Kilili Beach with other clubs that will also compete in the Oct. 21-23 tournament in Palau.

“We feel confident about our performance so far…just making sure now that little things that need adjustments on the canoe will not be overlooked at this point in time so that’s why these next few days are critical for fine tuning things,” Andrews added.

The SPC head will also suit up for their men’s squad and he will be teaming up with his son Joshua, John Mario, Scottie Litulumar, Glenn Muna, and Daniel Kaipat. Besides its men’s team, the club will also field a junior girls crew and women’s squad in next week’s competition that will be held in the waters off Meyuns Ramp in Koror. Mika Ythemar, Jaslyn William, Dominique Calvo, Leanna Roligat, Josephine Aguon, Deanna Kapileo, Juannie Tenorio, and Catherine Reyes are the members of the SPC junior girls team, while the women’s club is composed of Danica Calvo, Elaine Cabrera, Gerlyn Libunao, Krista Falig, Laarni Zapanta, Losanna Santos, Maria Valentina Haberman, Rica Concepcion, Sylvia Taggart, and Jean Ballesteros.

The club’s women’s and junior girls crews topped the 500m and 1,500m final heats of last Saturday’s friendly races, while SPC men’s finished second to Marianas Outrigger canoe in the sprints and last Sunday’s long distance event (12 miles).

Marianas Pacific Paddlers, Hoe Lokahi, and Napu Outigger Canoe Club also participated in the weekend’s race with the former’s women’s team placing second in the sprints. Napu finished first in all heats in the sprints in the junior mixed division, while SPC was ranked second. In the long distances races last Sunday, Napu also completed the course ahead of SPC and Ho Lokahi.

Official times of the participating teams were not recorded as the weekend races were only used to prepare SPC, Napu, Hoe Lokahi, MPP, and MOC for next week’s tournament in Palau.

Meanwhile, SPC will have a fundraising event this Saturday at the Oleai Beach Bar & Grill. The “Happy Hour” fundraiser will be held from 6pm to 10pm and for just $10 per ticket, one will get a drink and lots of live entertainment. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for the club’s trip to Palau.