Oe vaka wrapped up its Cook Islands Games events on Saturday with hordes of paddlers racing their hearts out in the ocean races (V6 marathon) for island pride.

Conditions were perfect with a light easterly wind providing a good upwind hit to Club Raro, and a surf leg down the coast to the tanks, and upwind finish to Avarua harbour.

The U18s kicked off racing, with a sprint up the coast to Tamarind and back into Trader Jacks in the V6 3.5-kilometre race. Team Manihiki comprised mainly of world champs representatives and steered by Ewena Lenoir took the win in 19.11 minutes with Team Mitiaro, who had the multi-talented young Vaihere Mitchell and impressed these games with a surprise gold in the 100m sprints, coming in second to claim silver in a time of 20.06 minutes. Team Rarotonga with the Nicholas twins and steered by Aleida Tere coming in strong for bronze in 20.22 minutes.

Eleven crews took to the start line for the open men’s and women’s 10km race, which saw some exciting close racing and finishes. Team Mauke steered by coach Tupuna Amo took the gold in a surprise win in a time of 43.04 mins with Team Rarotonga captained by Reuben Dearlove in hot pursuit over the course taking silver only seconds behind in 43.17 mins, with Team Manihiki rounding off the top three for bronze in 46.48 mins.

Likewise, it was a close race in the women’s race, with Team Atiu captained by Serena Hunter and steered by Talissa Koteka in the lead until the last turn with Team Rarotonga steered by Tina Mitchell nipping in around the buoy to take a lead and finish strong in a time of 43.04 mins with Atiu taking silver in 43.17 mins, and Team Mitiaro steered by Mylan Lane coming in third for bronze in 46.48 mins.

Paddlers had a break before heading back out for the mixed open race over 8km which saw Team Rarotonga steered by Reuben Dearlove dominating in a time of 40.38 mins. Team Atiu steered by Andre Tutaka and with mother and son combo Serena and Teava Hunter claimed silver in 41.50 mins and Tupuna Amo led Team Mauke in third in a time of 42.45 mins.

The U18 mixed crews raced over a 5km course, with Manihiki’s crew well in front in a time of 29.31 mins but unfortunately not in the medal count due to a games rule which requires athletes to remain in one age category within a code. 

This rule should be revisited for the next Games, as it has resulted in paddlers being unable to compete across events. In this particular case, two of Manihiki’s boys had to race in the open men’s V6, which effectively eliminated them from the medals in the U18s race.

Aitutaki’s U18 team took the gold medal placing in a time of 31.20 mins with Team Mitiaro taking bronze in 33.28 mins.

It was a colourful scene down at the wharf with big smiles at the finish line, and supporters there to aka ei their athletes. An excellent end to the Cook Islands Games, and paddlers can now focus their attention on Vaka Eiva in a few weeks’ time, which kicks off on November 23.

• CICA