The day three of Vaka Eiva 2024 saw intense competition across all divisions, with standout performances from local and international teams, particularly in the women’s and mixed categories.

The Vaka Eiva masters women’s teams were first up on the water yesterday with 16 teams in the lineup for the MW40, MW50 and MW60 divisions. 

There was a good battle between New Zealand’s Makoha crew made up of New Zealand’s top masters women steered by Liz Savage, and local crew Te Tupu steered by Tina Mitchell. The two teams cleared the field, coming home in a time of 1.03.40 and 1.04.06 hours - the fastest women’s times of the day, with Whaea Works from NZ in third in 1.10.10 and Te Tupu’s second masters crew steered by Linley Andrew coming in fourth overall in 1.10.46. 

First in the MW50 division was Far North Queensland crew in a time of 1.14.15 with the Turtles of Port Stephens OCC second in 1.18.55 and Hinemoana Sisters from NZ – some here for their first Vaka Eiva – third in a time of 1.19.17. Mulu Shadows of Whakatipu Waka Ama were first MW60 in 1.13.37, with two Hawaiian crews Hawaiian Canoe club and HOCVS Wailea second and third in 1.17.47 and 1.30.20, respectively.

The Vaka Eiva Open Women’s V6 Iron Race 12km winners, the Cook Islands Ngakau Toa Vaka ladies. From front: Ioana Turia Beasley, Ana File-Heather, Mihi Pa’ari, Leilani Sadaraka Gardiner, Talissa Koteka, and Tara Cummings. MELINA ETCHES/24112528

The open women and juniors under-19 were next up with 11 crews on the line. Again, a fierce battle between the top two, Ngakau Toa Vaka steered by Tara Buckley with Tiare Māori, a blend crew of Australian/Hawaiian and NZ paddlers, steered by Shein-le Stokesbury hot on their tail throughout, coming over the line in 1.04.15 and 1.04.40, respectively. New Zealand’s open Makoha crew containing some of top open women came in third in 1.09.10, and team Seimoana from Manukau OCC steered by Diana Malaki Williams in fourth in a time of 1.10.11.  Te Tupu’s open crew steered by Samantha Ellison made the top five in 1.11.47.  Ngakau Toa J19 girls, the only junior crew in the lineup, finished in 1.22.59.

The men’s race was hotly contested with 13 teams on the start line, and Dennes Boys taking a lead with Te Tupu men steered by Reuben Dearlove in hot pursuit throughout the course, followed by Ngakau Toa men steered by Tupuna Amo, and Pinuela from NZ in fourth around the turn.  

Dennes Boys kept their lead to take first place to an emotional team of supporters in a time of 57.14 minutes with Te Tupu close behind in 57.54 and Pinuela overtaking Ngakau Toa to take third place in a time of 58.51, and the Ngakau Toa boys in 59.49. Te Tupu’s MM50 did well coming fifth overall in a time of 1.02.09. And the MM60 Hawaiian Canoe Club impressed coming seventh overall in a time of 1.06.18, with Whakatipu Waka Ama second in that division in 1.15.16.

The start of the Vaka Eiva women’s singles OC1 and V1 Iron Race 12km on Saturday. VAKA EIVA/(Tabby Berg/Maunga Media)/24112529

The mixed V6 iron race, the most popular race of the day, ended the afternoon with 19 crews on the water.  Te Tupu’s mixed team made of their champs, the Dearlove siblings Reuben and Tamsyn, mother and son Serena Hunter and Teava Hunter, and Andre Tutaka George and Lotu Vea took the lead from the start, closely followed by team Seimoana steered by Hiromana Flores, and Team Pinuela also in the mix. Te Tupu finished in a time of 1.00.31 with Seimoana (Manukau OCC) second in 1.01.24 and Dennes Mix (Cairns) in third with a time of 1.03.50.

Today, the juniors sprint races will start from 7am to 12 noon at the Sailing Club in Muri.

The opens races will have a breather today. The charitable Boiler Swim (750m) will start at 5pm from Avarua Wharf. Entry fee is a gold coin donation.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27, the beastly V6 Round Raro Relay Race for the mixed teams will start at 8am from Avarua Wharf. Registrations start from 6.30am. The prizegiving awards will be held immediately after the last race. 

– CICA