Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Excited fans greet Nuuuli’s Manulele Tausala just after it crosses the finish line in first place. Manulele Tausala captained by Manutafea Taufete’e.

The last time Manulele Tausala ran was in 2019 (pre-COVID-19), and was also captained by Manutafea Taufete’e. In that year’s race, Paepaeulupoo from Aua village won with their captain Utaifeau Leonard Liufau at the helm with Nuuuli coming in second.

For 2023, in addition to the $20,000 first place prize, Manulele Tausala will also receive the Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid Perpetual Cup and of course bragging rights for the 2023 win. Half of the $20,000 prize awarded is from Paramount Builders CEO Papali’i Lauli’i Alofa, who donated $100,000 to the 2023 fautasi race.

OF NOTE: The oldest fautasi gliding through competition on Saturday was the Manulele Tausala or the Low Rider a.k.a. Manulele Tausala — the only fautasi from the 90s, it was built in 1993, and has continued to bring the championship home for Nuuuli. The village has a second ‘high tech’ fautasi, named the Manulele Tausala II, but it has been plagued by maintenance issues that continue to this day.