Pacific Cup, Paddle today

Today’s Round Raro Relay races will be the last of the week-long Vaka Eiva Festivities now in its 10th year.

The two V6 relay races will see teams battle it out for the men’s Pacific Cup and the women’s Pacific Paddle Round Raro Relay races.

Four-time Pacific Cup and current winners Boiler Boys International will be out to defend their title for the Pacific Cup race with a best time of 2.35.14, only .08 of a second shy of beating the overall best time for the open men’s division in the history of the race currently held by Team Excel.

Meanwhile Hawaiian beauties the Big Island girls are also on the island and will be racing to take back the Pacific Paddle trophy with a time to beat of 3.07.32.

The course will begin from the Avarua harbour, racing around the island and finishing back in to the harbour, an impressive 36km’s in total.

The open women will be first out on the water starting at 8am sharp, followed by the open men at 1pm who will be completing the same 36km course.

Competitors will be hoping for better conditions from yesterday as teams roughed the elements with choppy seas and a stiff breeze.

After all boats are back in the harbour, the presentation of medals and trophies and the official closing ceremony will be held at 6pm, which will include a traditional island kaikai for paddlers and supporters.

To wrap up a successful week of paddling will be the official ‘Paddles Up’ after party.

Entry to the party is a donation of $5 or more for those generous party goers.

The donations of which will go towards two schools affected by the recent fires on the island, Avatea School and Nukutere College.