Paddlers battled in super windy conditions in Saturday's national iron race, the last race of the season before Vaka Eiva in just under four weeks’.

Strong easterly winds forced a course change, with the original 18 kilometre course shortened to 12kilometres, with paddlers battling upwind to Fishing Club, turning for a surf leg down to Hula Bar, and a testing upwind bash back up to Fishing Club, before last leg into Trader Jacks.

It was a close fought battle in the men’s race with Te Tupus open men steered by Reuben Dearlove taking the title in 1.06.48 just ahead of Ngakau Toas crew steered by Tupuna Amo in 1.07.26. 

Amo’s crew, majority of whom were in the Cook Islands Games Mauke gold medal team, have shown great improvement through the season, some for whom it is only their second year paddling. 

NTV masters crew steered by Fletcher Melvin were third across the line in 1.13.51, with Te Tupus Stress free team steered by Maki Raukette finishing in 1.23.35.

In the womens race, Ngakau Toa open women’s steered by Tara Cummings smashed through their race taking the clear win in 1.17.40 with Te Tupus masters women’s crew steered by Tina Mitchell not showing their usual form finishing in 1.20.39. The two crews have seen some good battles over the season, so a well-deserved win by the ladies in blue.

 Five teams took to the water in the shorter distance of 9km which saw them battle up to Fishing Club, down to Hula Bar and back up and into Traders over a kilometre course. 

NTV Mixed open team steered by young Aleida Tere were first in 1.02.07 with Te Tupus open women’s team steered by Linley Andrew close behind in 1.02.46, and NTV/TT Junior 19 girls steered by Ewena Lenoir the only junior crew due to the challenging conditions, doing an amazing job coming in third in a time of 1.09.08.

NTVs Cool Aunties steered by Vaea Melvin finished in 1.11.59, while Te Tupus master women 50+ VE Mamas steered by Mylan Lane finished in 1.17.15.  

Cook Islands Canoeing Association has congratulated all the teams who competed in challenging conditions, in what has been a disrupted season due to rough weather conditions.  

The Nationals Round Raro which was scheduled to be held November 2 has been cancelled to enable teams to focus on training towards Vaka Eiva where the national RR winner will be determined.

Junior teams, who have been seen training hard on the water, will race their national title race this Wednesday in an 8km ocean race.  CICA