The 2023 Vaka Eiva concluded yesterday with the exhilarating Round Raro Relay, a 36-kilometre race where paddlers navigated challenging sea conditions to reach the finish line.

New Zealand’s Makoha recorded the fastest time in the V6 Round Rarotonga Relay 36km race yesterday.

They finished the long and gruelling race in 2 hours 57.04 minutes to claim the open men’s title.

Cook Islands’ Ngakau Toa Vaka finished in second place with a time of 2.59.25 hours followed by Te Tupu – Reuben in 3.01.52 hours.

In the open women’s competition, Cook Islands’ Te Tupu Maroro’s were the first ones to cross the finish line in 3.35.50 hours. Ngakau Toa Vaka placed second with a time of 3.41.11 hours, followed by New Zealand’s Nga Hau e Wha in 3.46.01 hours.

The 2023 Vaka Eiva – which marked the return of the annual oe vaka competition after a four-year Covid hiatus – concluded with the prize presentations and closing dinner last night.

Results

Golden Master Women - V6 RRR 36km – Oz Squad 4.31.13; Senior Master Women -V6 RRR 36km – Chang Gang 3.40.11, Lanikai Green 3.51.45, Dreaming in the Cook Islands 4.50.05; Master Women – V6 RRR 36km – Whaea Engines 3.42.19, Nga Hau e Wha 2 4.14.18, Queensland Paddlers 4.29.29; Open Women - V6 RRR 36km – Te Tupu Maroro’s 3.35.50, NTV Open Women 1 3.41.11, Nga Hau e Wha 3.46.01.

Golden Master Men - V6 RRR 36km – Kolohe Kupuna 3.41.33, Tohivea Vaa 3.57.41, Outrigger Australia 4.06.49; Senior Master Men V6 RRR 36km – Te Tupu – Beluga 3.51.14, TOF’s 4.18.13    ; Open Men - V6 RRR 36km – Makoha 2.57.04, NTV Open Mens 1 2.59.25, Te Tupu – Reuben 3.01.52.