Pacific

'Perfect storm' hits race

A freak squall threw 25-knot southerly winds and heavy rain that reduced visibility to 50 metres at the best of the best yesterday in the defining race of Vaka Eiva – the 18km open men’s V6 Iron. The mini storm seemed perfectly planned to test them in timing, endurance, bailing, steering and courage all at […]

It's all action

If conditions today are as brutal as Saturday – expect to see some outstanding paddling in the V6 Iron races. It will be all about teamwork today and based on Saturday’s V1 and OC1 results – the international Australian Crown Beach Kings is the team to watch. The international Boiler Boys crew are also expected […]

Kings rule the waves

The Crown Beach Kings oe vaka crew have set the tone for Vaka Eiva 2010 with three podium finishes in Saturday’s 18km men’s Iron race. In conditions that can only be described as brutal – 30 open men paddlers pushed their way to Avana in three metre seas and howling 25 knot winds. The conditions […]

Making waves!

Singles OC1 and V1 results from Saturday, 20 Nov

The singles Iron races were run in two categories for the first time this year – the conventional OC1 canoes with rudders, and the rudderless V1 canoes which are dominant in Tahiti and are increasing in the other paddling countries of Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia and Cook Islands.

Takuvaine wins

Takuvaine has succeeded against Arorangi in the Lotto Premier Men’s match on Saturday, winning 3-1. Arorangi took the lead through young Luke Tukaroa with a penalty in the first half. But it was for a short while as Takuvaine came back to equalise before the half time whistle. Takuvaine regrouped at half time and came […]

Takuvaine face Arorangi

Today Takuvaine will make the trip towards the western side of the island as they will face Arorangi on home soil. Kicking off today’s games will be the Under 15 Girls at 1.30pm. In the Premier Men’s division Takuvaine will be keen to walk away with a win against Arorangi to keep their third place […]

Symposium talks power of sport

The power of sport was the main theme at the opening of the two-day Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) symposium yesterday. New Zealand International Olympic Committee member, Barry Maister, highlighted the ‘culture’ of a national Olympic committee to the group of 80 participants at the symposium opening. He said the Cook Islands […]

Roberts gets meeting moving

Renowned international trainer Keith Roberts has been pouring his energy into making Rarotonga athletes the best they can be. Roberts was one of the keynote speakers at yesterday’s CISNOC symposium opening where he spoke about what sport really is. Before his short speech, Roberts made the group of around 80 participants stand up and do […]

McKee proves age no barrier

Jane McKee, 53, is living proof that age is just a number. She is definitely one to watch in today’s women’s OC1 race. McKee placed third overall in last year’s race, only a minute behind winner Lisa Curry and shows that age is no barrier when it comes to being competitive. McKee will again be […]

Matavera faces tough Sokattak

Defending soccer champions Nikao Sokattak will go head to head with Matavera and are overwhelming favourites to win this match. Matavera have a tough task on their hands to get anything from this match. – CIFA Media Draw and referee appointments for today at the Matavera school grounds: 4.45pm Premier Men, Ref: Tupou Patia assisted […]

Sports symposium begins today

The Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC) two day sports symposium will open today at the Takuvaine AOG Hall. International Olympic Committee member Barry Maister of New Zealand and chairman of Christchurch City Holdings will be among the keynote speakers at the two day conference. The symposium will begin with registrations of participants […]

Vaile ready to take on the world's best

The 2009 Cook Islands women’s singles lawn bowls champion Kanny Vaile will be taking on the world’s best in Norfolk Islands next week. As the winner of the 2009 Cook Islands national singles championships – Vaile earned the honour of competing at the World Champion of Champion tournament. The bowls tournament will run between November […]

7s in training

Under the guidance of internationally renowned trainer Keith Roberts, the Rarotonga based sevens rugby players are improving their fitness and all round game performance ahead of the IRB Sevens Circuit early next year. A squad of 14 players are being put through their paces by Roberts who is pleased with their progress. The players have […]

Boiler swim in aid of Te Vaerua

Paddlers, supporters and the general public are invited to swim the 750 metres out to the iconic Boiler in front of Trader Jack’s and back to raise funds for charity. The swim will be on Tuesday at 5pm, and anyone is welcome to join – all you need is a gold coin and your togs. […]

Security warning

While police and security officers are stepping up their patrol presence during Vaka Eiva, paddlers and supporters are still advised to take ‘commonsense’ safety precautions, as it will be one of the busiest weeks of the year. Police will be doing extra patrols – day and night – during Vaka Eiva and will be posted […]

Beware of the nasties!

Paddlers should be wary of stonefish and bluebottles and should know that local paddlers have recently been stung by both – by stonefish on the slipway at Trader Jack’s and by bluebottles during water changeovers. In the past two weeks, nurses have treated a number of bluebottle stings. So be on the lookout for bluebottles […]

It will make $2m

This year’s Vaka Eiva 2010 is expected to generate almost $2 million for the local economy, on par with last year’s week-long festival which brought in an estimated total gross economic revenue of $1.92 million. Last year 801 participants from five different countries participated in Oe Vaka events in the waters of Rarotonga. This year […]

Don't touch Horouta's kai!

Don’t Touch My Food is a junior boys team from New Zealand that will be competing this year in the 12km from Avarua to Matavera and back, in Tuesday’s sprints at Muri and in the 15km on Thursday. Don’t Touch My Food are the current NZ J13 sprint champs – though some paddlers have moved […]

Carved pearl medals and arapitia trophies

Vaka Eiva winners will walk away with beautifully engraved mother of pearl medals and trophies carved from arapitia or albesia – the same wood that traditional canoes are carved from. The carvers and artists at the Island Craft workshop in Tutakimoa have nearly completed the order of 800 pearl shell medals and 43 engraved wooden […]