Flor Jones still leads bidding war

Organizers of the fourth annual Escape From Managaha have four days and a wake-up call left before they unleash a school of swimmers from the coast of Managaha Island on a mission to reach Micro Beach for a barbeque, but one lucky participant will not even have to paddle or stroke for their meal this Saturday.

After Saipan Swim Club head coach Michael Stewart announced his intention to swim from island to island with a two-seat kayak in tow, bidders have been lining up to fill the vacant seats during an ongoing auction.

Currently Flor Jones has one of the seats with the high-bid of $50, but there is still time remaining. The coach has been rather tight-lipped about the other seat’s occupant, but promised more details to be announced at a later date.

In addition to the bidding, organizers received a huge boost before the start of Memorial Day weekend as the Marianas Visitors Authority pledged continued support to the only official inter-island swim in the CNMI.

For the fourth year in a row, challengers will attempt to cross shipping lanes in order to complete the 3-kilometer journey from Managaha Island to Micro Beach this Saturday, June 3.

Last year Tatuya Motoyama led a largely Japanese field of 53 swimmers through the clear waters between the smallest island in the Marianas to Saipan’s Micro Beach as the veteran open water swimmer traversed the three-kilometer distance in 37:09—just under three minutes faster than second place finisher Kouichi Manago at 40:02.

A total of 11 members of Umiou swim club, which is Japanese for Ocean Kings, made the journey for the Escape with Motoyama—all of whom finished in less than an 55 minutes, and they placed six swimmers in the Top 10.

The fee to participate in the event is only $20, and this time around all of the proceeds will go directly into the coffers of the Saipan Swim Club.

In exchange for their funds, swimmers will receive one heck of an inter-island trip, a T-shirt, and a post-swim barbeque when they reach Micro Beach. There is even an opportunity for non-swimmers to have fun atop kayaks and as partygoers as the SSC will need volunteers to paddle along to ensure the safety of the escapees. Those wishing to challenge the chicken at the barbeque can sample the food and fun for a donation of $10.

For more information about the 4th Annual Escape From Managaha, contact Frank Tudela at the MVA by calling 664-3210, or place your bid for the open seat on the kayak contact SSC head coach Michael Stewart via email at wfla@hotmail.com and via email to thesportsshow1080@yahoo.com.