This year’s Saipan International Open Water Flipper Tournament drew more swimmers compared to the inaugural event last year, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
Although it was considered to be a good turn out, last year’s event attracted only a dozen of visiting swimmers, 24 of them female.
Last Saturday, 65 swimmers from Japan and NMI participated in the 2nd Saipan International Open Water Flipper Tournament.
MVA look at this as “small increase” but this years’ number indicates that the NMI’s signature swimming event is growing.
The swimmer took the plunge at 6:30 a.m. and circumnavigated Managaha Island.
Saipan swimmer Renze Wong who topped last year’s event with 19.32 minutes, defended his title with an improved 19.07 in the 1.5 kilo-meter race.
It was almost a déjà vu between him Shin Kimura who was seven second behind him last year.
Kensuke Kimura and Shin were in neck and neck race and finished at 20:16 and 20:17 respectively.
Yusuke Kaneko of Japan also maintained his feat. Kaneko was just a second behind Kimura last year, once again led the field of forty swimmers from Japan, finishing fourth overall at 20:41 minutes.
In the women’s overall, topping first place was Angel Marie Tan of Saipan with a time of 23:34, followed by Kana Kurihara of Japan at 24:47, and Angel De Jesus of Saipan at 26:17. The overall top three winners in the men’s and women division received cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 respectively.
“The Saipan International Open Water Flipper Tournament aims to capitalize on Managaha’s popularity, especially in Japan,” MVA managing director Perry Tenorio said.
“We’re happy that this year’s tournament went smoothly and that we saw a small increase in the number of participants.The MVA’s goal remains to attract a solid number of international swimmers to join our local swimmers in this event.”
The swim attracted competitors from the Northern Marianas, Japan, Korea, and USA.
An island-style breakfast and awards ceremony was held on the beach at Managaha following the race.All age division category winners received either fins or snorkel from the major sponsors.In the Junior Division, in first place for 10 & under was Kaito Yanai of Saipan in 21:46. Winning the age category for 11 & under was Takayumi Sugie of Japan with a time of 26:22, while the 13-15 age division went to Kaisei Toda who clocked in at 21:44. There were no placements on the 16-18 age category or female division for the Juniors.
In the 19-29 age category the first Male finisher was Yusuke Kaneko of Japan with a time of 20:41.The first Female, Mai Takagi of Japan, reached the goal line at 27:40. In the 30-39 age category, first place for the Men was Yoshinori Yamamoto of Japan at 22:31, followed by first Female Sachiko Suzuki of Japan when she entered at 26:46. First Male in the 40-49 age category was Jim Arenovski of USA in 29:19, and first Female was Hitomi Karisawa of Japan with a time of 31:56. For ages 50-59, Yasushi Shimuzu of Japan topped the Males with a time of 27:31, and Keiko Shimotara bested other Females at 41:09. Topping the 60 & up age category for Men was Shuji Terada of Japan in 22:04 and, for Females, Matsue Terada of Japan, who clocked in at 27:51.
One struggling winner from Japan was rescued by the race water safety crew and kept overnight for observation at Commonwealth Health Center.
“We’re very serious about the safety of our swimmers during the race,” said MVA community projects manager Martin Duenas.“I commend our safety team for being alert and quick to respond.”
The MVA also thanked this year’s major sponsors and supporters; Japan Marine Recreation Association, Japan Recreation Sports Diving Industry Association, Japan Scuba Association, Japan Wetsuit Manufacturers Association, University Live Sports Education Society, Japan Sports Diving Association, Japan Snorkeling Association, and the Northern Marianas Dive Operators Association, SAS, PDI, Tasi Tours, Gull, Bism, Aqua Lung, Scubapro, Super VAAM, Tusa Reef Tourer, Deepstar Submarine, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Mobby’s, World Dive, Marine Diving, World Resort Aqua Resort Club, Marianas Resort & Spa, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Saipan Grand Hotel, Saipan Sunset Cruise, Inc, Budget Rental Car, Saipan Shipping,Northern Marianas College CREES Nursing Department Volunteers, Dept. of Public Safety Boating Safety Unit, Coastal Resources Management, Managaha staff, MSC, Aqua Connection and SEAFIX .
In 2009, 53 swimmers participated in the race, which allows swimmers to use fins, snorkels, wet suits, or life jackets.
