Pacific Paddler December 2013 - (Page 54)

October 21st: Race Day #1 After rounding the large Hinano beer can, the competitors enter open ocean. Day two and a battle is waged between Mai Tai Shell and Pirae The sky was clear and the sea calm for the 7:30 start from Fare Huahine. From there crews raced to Uturoa, Riatea 44.5 km away. On the starting line 92 crews were anxious to go, creating two false starts. The local favorite did not waste any time and took off. After passing the reef barrier, Pirae team A and B, Maitai Shell, and Hinano Hoe spread out in three different directions towards Uturoa. The conditions were fairly calm with very little bumps to ride. Pirae team B was on a southerly line and crossed the finish line first in 3:23.27. The President's team, Pirae A and B took first and second. The Ocean Club Hawaii team had a sick paddler and had to finish half of the race with only five paddlers since no substitutes are allowed. They finished 44th. In 26th place, the Waikiki Beach Boys was the first foreign crew to finish. Following the race, it was the Junior and Women's turn. Their race began at 1:30 p.m. and again Pirae team was out in front and first to complete their triangle course of 40.5 km. It took them 3:24.41. An unfortunate huli for the Riggeroos of Australia didn't stop them from coming back to get second place. Crews were allowed to change. Most Tahitian teams were doing five paddler changes. It was paradise in Tahiti especially during the end of the race as the sun slowly went down. Misfortune strikes the Waikiki Beach Boys early on in the race. Below, the finish of the first day of racing with first and second place finishers, Team Pirae A & B creating quite a "La Fievre Orange!" amongst the spectators. The leaders, Pirae team A, come close to the reef. October 22nd: Race Day #2 The second stage and shortest of the three day race series got started on the fourth attempt. The rush to get out in front early from the pack created three false starts. This was because the course narrowed into a pass between the island and the reef along the island of Taha'a. All the media, supporters and spectators followed in motorboats which were estimated at about 400. The two leaders for the day, Pirae team A and Maitai Shell, exchanged positions and battled neck and neck for more than half of the race with Pirae team A crossing first in 2.03.58. 32 Pacific Paddler, December 1999

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Paddler December 2013

Molokai Hoe
So Cal - Winter Season begins
Image and Reality in Polynesian Voyaging
Canadian Outrigger Heats Up
XCEL European Championship
Take It to the Next Level
COVER 1999 Edition
December 1999 CONTENTS
1999 Na Wahine
1999 Na Wahine
1999 New Products
1999 Ocean Tides, Currents & Racing
OC-1, OC-2 & Kayak 2000 schedule
1999 Canada Outrigger
1999 P3 Masters Waa Kaukahi Relay
1999 Hawaiki Nui Va‘a, Tahiti ~

Pacific Paddler December 2013