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Event host Hoe Lokahi and MPP sweep season opener
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Posted on May 20 2012
Hoe Lokahi’s mixed crew and Marianas Pacific Paddlers’ men’s unit came away winners of Hoe Lokahi’s May 500-meter preliminary, semifinal, and final sprint series last Saturday in the waters off Killili Beach.
MPP won the preliminary heat with a mark of 2:23:06 ahead of Saipan Outrigger Canoe Club (2:34) and Hoe Lokahi (2:40:78).
It then dug out a semifinal victory by less than five seconds over SOCC in a tight semifinal with Hoe Lokahi (2:40:63) also very close behind. SOCC’s post time of 2:33:45 was the fastest of the day, but was not enough to hold off MPP in the final trial.
MPP finished the semifinal heat in 2:37:43 and improved its mark to 2:33:81 in the finals to take first place in the May event.
First place receives 0.7 points, second place is issued 2 points and 3 points goes to the third place crew with the lowest total score residing as the winner.
Thus, after all three races, MPP finished in front of the pack with 2.1 points ahead of SOCC (6 points) and Hoe Lokahi (9 points).
Notably, Hoe Lokahi’s women’s team raced with its mixed crew and a mixed group from the Saipan Paddlers Club, however only the mixed crews competed for points.
Hoe Lokahi won the preliminary with a time of 2:47 just under 15 seconds before SPC crossed the line in about three minutes flat. SPC was actually out-willed by the Hoe Lokahi ladies (2:56).
Hoe Lokahi turned in another 500m 2:47 sprint time to take the semifinal heat, although SPC improved its time to 2:52 and surpassed the ladies the second time around.
Both squads were a little winded coming into the final sprint, but Hoe Lokahi found a way to get it done and clinched the sweep in 2:51:11. SPC (2:59) was outshone by the Hoe Lokahi ladies (2:57:78) once again in the final.
Hoe Lokahi won the first series, 2.1-6.
Hoe Lokahi’s next event is scheduled for June 16 with a set of 500m and 1,000m series in the waters off Killili Beach.
The group is especially looking for some other women’s canoe teams to challenge as the team trains for the anticipated 2012 Micronesian Cup, slated for in late October.
Additional men’s and mixed crews are also welcome to turn out.
For more information email Hoe Lokahi’s Leilani Nielsen at heavymana@gmail.com.
