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MOC paddlers finish second in Guam race
Marianas Outrigger Club’s Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel heads back to shore after he and Jose Quan completed the 12-mile V1 race in the 2017 MPRA Galaide Cup Series 4 held in Merizo, Guam late last month. (Contributed Photo)
Three Marianas Outrigger Club members joined the 2017 MPRA Galaide Cup Series and two finished second in the V1, 12-mile race.
Jose Quan and Ketson “Jack” Kabiriel teamed up for MOC and made it to the podium after completing the event held in Merizo, Guam late last month in 2:13:14. The MOC duo was just less than two minutes behind champion Ian Iriarte and partner, who clocked in at 2:11:56. Rich Val and his teammate rounded out the Top 3 after posting 2:17:41.
Another MOC member, Rich Salas, competed in the same race and he and his teammate were ranked fifth after timing in at 2:29:57.
Salas, Quan, and Kabiriel participated in the fourth event of the series organized by Marianas Paddle Racing Association. The series started in March with the second and third held in May and June. Nine teams joined the 12-mile race, while four each competed in female and junior divisions, which both featured an eight-mile course.
There was a neck-and-neck battle for the top honors in the juniors division as the first finishers submitted 1:37:38 against the runners-up’s 1:37:40. The third placers were also not far behind after clocking in at 1:40:28. In the women’s division, the champions registered 1:46:57, while the No. 2 and 3 finishers recorded 1:48:48 and 1:54:06.
Meanwhile, MOC paddlers are now busy preparing for the 2017 Micro Cup, which will be held in Guam from Oct. 26 to 29. The club will be the team to watch in this year’s competition after a historic sweep of the three races (500m and 1,500m sprints and the long distance 12-mile course) in last year’s event held in Palau.
