The determined and mighty Mitiaro women’s Ko Akari (coconut husking) team of Ngatamaine Tekaria, Tashi Tutai and Myland Lane dominated the exciting event, winning a gold medal each on day one of the Cook Islands Games on Saturday.

The event started with a 50-metre sprint with Lane leading the Mitiaro women.

Husking fast and furious, she was the first to finish three coconuts. Now in her 50s, Lane hadn’t husked a coconut since she was a teenager.

Teammate Tutai said she had never husked a coconut before, but you wouldn’t have known it watching her husk like a pro.

The women thrilled the spectators at the event.

Meanwhile at the aquatics swimming races held at Vaiana’s in Nikao, Team Aitutaki competed in eleven 50-metre swim events, achieving podium finishes in all of them.

Today, the 1.5-kilometre motu swim event will be held in Muri. Registrations for athletes will start at 11am near the Captain Tama’s office. The 750m boiler swim will be held tomorrow, starting from the Traders Jacks, Avarua Harbour.

Sailing started on Saturday with the Optimist XPF Males, Optimist Jelly Bean Males and the Laser 4.7 Females out on the water at the Rarotonga Sailing Club in Muri.

The next sailing day will be this Wednesday with the Optimist XPF females, Optimist Jelly Bean females and the Laser Standard Females. On Saturday, October 12, the Laser 4.7 Females, Laser 4.7 Males and Laser Standard Males will hit the water. The medal ceremony will be held after the last race.