Previous Story
MOC paddlers lead finishers in 10-mile race
CNMI paddlers pose for a photo at Kilili Beach after completing the Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation’s Long Distance Race Series 2 last Sunday. (Contributed Photo)
Marianas Outrigger Canoe-A did it again, topping the Northern Marianas National Paddling Sports Federation’s Long Distance Race Series 2 held last Sunday.
Bobby Cruz, Jose Quan, Vince Tudela, Billy Grow, Rich Salas, and Jack Kabiriel teamed up for MOC-A, finishing the 10-mile course that started and ended at Kilili Beach in 1:21:39. Their time in Series 2 was slower that the mark (1:12:16) they posted in last month’s event, no thanks to the challenging race day condition.
“Conditions were tough. We had to battle strong winds and rough waters, especially once we exited into the open ocean. We tried to hug the reef to use the swells, but it was still tough,” Cruz said. “When we entered the Bantalan channel, the water was dead. I felt like we’re paddling in mud. But, our coach, Dino Manning, prepared us for those situations. It wasn’t anything we weren’t familiar with. The guys worked through it.”
MOC-A reached the finish line a little over two minutes ahead of Saipan Paddling Club. SPC’s Justin and Joshua Andrew, Carter Calma, Benusto Olopai, Icemwar Somorang, and Jay Limes clocked in at 1:23:58. MOC-B, which was made up of Maverick Itibus, Paolo San Jose, Jovano Taitano, Angel San Nicholas, James Lee, and Jason Tarkong, rounded out the Top 3 finishers after submitting 1:27:47.
Meanwhile, three other teams completed the long course race with Marianas Pacific Paddlers Black coming in at fourth place with a time of 1:32:27. SPC Women’s Team placed fifth after recording 1:42:01, while MPP White was ranked sixth with its 1:44:23.
In the youth division race, which had a distance of five miles, Napu Outrigger Canoe Club’s boys junior squad completed the course in less than an hour after checking in at 57:26. Napu’s junior girls team, on the other hand, posted 1:10:24.
The series of short and long distance races organized by NMNPSF aimed at preparing CNMI paddlers for the 2017 Micro Cup that will be held in Guam from Oct. 26 to 29 at Matapang Beach in Tumon.
“There’s so much more work to be done to continue to improve and get better. We learn from each experience as a team and we put in the efforts to grow as a team. Our motto is work hard and stay humble,” Cruz said.
