46 join Saipan Flipper Race

Calms seas and crystal clear waters provided the perfect setting for 46 competitors in the 3rd Saipan International Open Water Flipper Race Tournament, held last Saturday around Managaha Island.

The event attracted 29 competitors from Japan, many of whom traveled to the CNMI with friends and family for the event.

Sixteen competitors from Saipan, mostly youth, also joined the event, and captured many of the top slots in the various divisions.

Finishing first for the males was teenager Kensuke Kimura of Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan (21:29), with Daisuke Akama of Japan close on his heels (21:37). Rounding out the Top 3 slots was Kaisei Toda, also of Tsunami Saipan (24:45).

Finishing first for the females was Angel Tan of Tsunami Saipan (24:56), with Tomie Kunimoto of Japan (28:17) edging out Tan’s teammate Angel De Jesus (28:39) for second place.

“The Saipan International Open Water Flipper Race is a real island-style event—a great swim in the quiet water of Managaha, followed by an island-style breakfast and an awards ceremony under the palapala (hut) on the island,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Community Projects manager Martin Duenas. “Numbers were slightly lower to due to the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan, so we are still evaluating the cost-benefit impact of the event in consideration for next year. However, we count it a success that the swimmers came out of the water with smile on their faces and that logistically, the race went off without a hitch.”

Other top finishers by age category were: Miku Tammy of Tsunami Saipan in the 10-under division (31:17), In the Junior (male) category were: Shigeki Tenorio of Saipan in the 16-18 division (28:42), Takumi Sugie of Tsunami Saipan (25:53) in the 13-15 division, Kaito Yanai of Tsunami Saipan in the 11-12 division (26:07), and Hiroto Yanai of Tsunami Saipan in the 10 & under (34:15).

Daishi Hiroki of Saipan (26:47) in the 19-29 division, Tatsuya Tamagawa of Japan in the 30-39 division (38:48), Akira Asahi of Japan in the 40-49 division (25:21), Hideki Kimura of Japan in the 50-59 division (25:58), and Perry Connor of the U.S. in the 60-and-up division (29:43).

In the 60-and-up, Mie Obata of Japan (35:55) was the winner, Akiko Yajima of Japan (33:11) in the 50-59, Harumi Goto of Japan (32:48) in the 40-49, Asako Omori of Saipan (38:49) in the 30-39, and Chieko Nagao of Saipan (36:57) in the 19-29.

The annual Saipan International Open Water Flipper Race Tournament was launched by the MVA in 2009 to capitalize on the popularity of Managaha in Japan. [B][I](MVA)[/I][/B]