Boiler babes want 3rd win

The Te Tupu O Te Manava Boiler Babes are back again, shooting for the U19 championship title for the third consecutive year.

Boiler Babes captain Raukura Ellison said that while she’s under pressure, felling the heat as steerer she’s looking forward to racing in her fourth Vaka Eiva.

“We’ll just try our best and have fun!” Ellison said.

She and stroker Anna Vinsen, who has been paddling for two years, said they enjoy the teamwork and camaraderie of oe vaka. They named “being together and being on the water” as the highlights of the sport.

This year marks champion paddler Emilene Taulu’s last year in the juniors category – next year, she’ll be paddling with the open women – so she’s ready to clinch a third win.

Taulu, who can sit at any seat, is this year also paddling in the Round Raro with a Tahitian women’s team, and she’ll be competing in the singles races in a rudderless V1.

CI News cadet reporter Peka Fisher is paddling in the Boiler Babes powerhouse – she was away at school in Hawai’i last year so this will be her first Vaka Eiva with this U19 crew.

Ellison named Hawai’i as the girls’ fiercest competition.