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Manulele Tausala I unofficial winner of 2017 Flag Day Fautasi Regatta

Manulele Tausala I and Manulele Tausala II fautasi teams of Nu’uuli, in their new uniforms donated by Forsgrens at Laufou.   Fanene expressed sincere appreciation to them for their kindhearted contribution to the rowers, who wore the uniform during last Friday afternoon’s fautasi practice.  [photo: AF]

Manulele Tausala I fautasi from Nu’uuli has again claimed the championship title in the 2017 Flag Day fautasi race, according to the unofficial results of the final fautasi regatta, which began at around 7:14a.m. today instead of the scheduled time of 8a.m.

And by 7:28a.m. the race — which was to be five miles ended up with a shorter race course starting just outside of the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor — was finished, according to local broadcasters and  information received by Samoa News, which was told that the decision to reduce the race course was made by the Fautasi Committee, because of “choppy” ocean condition.

Following behind to reach the finish line in second place was Iseula o le Moana of Fagatogo; followed by Fuao of Vatia; Paepaeulupo’o of Aua; Matasaua of Manu’a; Taema II of Leone; and Fetu o le Afiafi of Fagaalu, according to unofficial results, and the Fautasi Committee is expected to make an official annoucement later today.

Broadcasters reported that the Fagatogo fautasi was in front of the starting line and started the race before the horn was sounded from the MV Manu’atele to signal the start of the race. Samoa News also received the same report from others on the private boats in the area of the race, as well as information received by a Samoa News reporter who was at the finish line.

Although the Fagatogo fautasi was the first to row and in front of the starting line, Manulele Tausala quickly caught up five minutes into the race and took the lead all the way to the finish line.

As the race entered into Bay Area waters, inside the harbor, Paepaeulupo’o was in third place, but then battled with the Fuao fautasi which was quickly catching up. And Fuao kept its pace rowing hard and took third place.

Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is co-chair of the Flag Day Committee, announced at the finish line that the race was completed and for all fautasi teams to return to their camps, or villages.

KVZK-TV rebroadcast round 7:52a.m the race for viewers who missed the actual live coverage.

Light rain falling here and there on Tutuila kicked off the morning, and as the sun came from behind the clouds fautasi were already at the starting line with the fautasi committee working to line-up fautasi for the race. KVZK-TV video footage shows rough ocean conditions and others on private boats at the starting line say the seas were a bit rough

At the time of the race, it was low tide and the National Weather National Service in Tafuna had already extended weather advisories for small craft and high surf. Forecasters say hazardous surfs of nine to 12 fee will affect east, south and west facing shores.

This story will be update online if new information becomes available, with final story in Monday’s edition.