THE Northern Marianas National Paddling Federation kicked off a three-part Va’a Slalom Race series on May 20 with strong performances from participants in the V6 races.
There were two heats for the men’s and women’s divisions.
In the first race of the day, Marianas Outrigger Club took the spotlight. MOC 1 led the men’s division with a finish time of 19:30:88, beating Saipan Paddling Club A who clocked 19:37:74. SPC B settled for third place at 20:27:07 while MOC II came in fourth with a time of 20:34:28.
In the women’s division, MOC Black displayed power and control as they finished nearly a minute ahead of the competition with a time of 22:46:69.
In second place were the SPC Women who clocked 23:31:09. MOC Orange came in third with a time of 24:35:49; Marianas Pacific Paddlers Orange finished fourth at 25:04:31; and MPP Blue were fifth with a time of 24:41:17.
The second V6 race tested the teams’ endurance and this time it was SPC A who triumphed with a first-place finish in the men’s division, clocking 21:18:24.
MOC 1 settled for second place with a finish time of 21:33:48. SPC B came in third, 22:26:50; and MOC II finished fourth, 22:43:04.
MOC Black clinched their second top finish, clocking 24:02:68 while MOC Orange came in second at 24:41:01. The SPC Women were third with a time of 24:59:87, and MPP Orange finished fourth at 26:22:04.
In the individual V1 event, Carter Calma and Pips led their respective divisions.
SPC’s Calma finished first with a time of 22:44:63, slipping past MOC’s Maverick Itibus who clocked 22:56:98 for second place. In third place was MOC’s Jason Tarkong with a time of 24:15:69. SPC’s Joe Weaver was fourth at 24:21:57; MOC’s Richard Sikkel was fifth, 24:48:33; and SPC’s Justin Andrew was sixth, 26:06:83.
MOC’s Pips led the women’s division with a time of 26:13:47 followed by MPP’s Maria Ornes timed at 29:03:15. SPC’s Erryn Dasalla did not finish.
In the JR19 Girls V1 event, SPC’s Vinalyn Oronigo, who clocked 28:27:01, was the lone participant. SPC’s Tyler Andrew, for his part, was the lone participant in the JR 19 Boys V1 event, clocking 24:11:83.
Participants of the Northern Marianas National Paddling Federation’s Va’a Slalom Race series pose for a photo on May 20 at Kilili Beach.
