Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 2026 Flag Day Fautasi Race has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 15, after unfavorable weather conditions have forced organizers to postpone the event.

According to the race organizing committee, the decision was made during a meeting held yesterday with the captains of all 13 competing fautasi. Committee chairman Faiivae Alex Godinet said officials had gone out on the water several times throughout the day to assess ocean conditions. Their observations confirmed that it was not safe or feasible to stage the regatta as originally planned.

Instead, Faiivae said the race will be run in a two‑heat format, with seven fautasi competing in the first heat and six in the second.

The first heat is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., followed by the second heat at 9:00 a.m. Both heats will start approximately two and a half miles outside the harbor.

The original plan called for the top four boats from each heat to advance to the final, with the remaining five competing in a consolation race on Thursday. However, during yesterday’s meeting at the Office of Samoan Affairs, Captain Satele Aliitai Liliʻo of the Alao proposed adjusting the selection to reflect the uneven number of boats in each heat. He argued that advancing four from each group was not balanced when one heat had seven competitors and the other only six.

His suggestion — to advance five boats from Heat 1 and four from Heat 2 — received unanimous support from the other captains. As a result, nine fautasi will now compete in the championship final.

Faiivae also confirmed that the two government tugboats, the Iseula and Segaula, will serve as the starting line markers for tomorrow’s heats.

Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula attended the meeting as well, presenting new uniforms for all 13 fautasi teams, a gesture warmly received by the captains and crew representatives.

The Governor’s Office funded the uniforms through its Drug Control Program, which has increasingly supported community‑based initiatives aimed at strengthening youth engagement.

In his remarks to the captains, Governor Pulaalii said he hopes the annual Flag Day Fautasi Race will continue to draw young people into the sport, keeping them away from drugs and alcohol by promoting discipline, teamwork, and a healthier lifestyle.

The nine‑boat final is expected to heighten competition on the water, especially with several crews showing strong form during practice runs. With the heats reshuffled and more boats advancing, captains say the race will demand sharper strategy, tighter timing, and greater endurance from every crew.

Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula (third from right) stands with several of the 13 fautasi captains, who proudly display the uniforms provided by the Governor’s Office through its Drug Control Program. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]