JASON Tarkong and Pipit Ball had the privilege to compete alongside the best paddlers in the world at the IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championship 2024 in Hilo, Hawaii. Although they did not advance past the first round, they were honored to represent the NMI in one of the most prestigious events in the sport of va’a.
Held from Aug. 13 to 24, the international event was hosted by the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association, and featured thousands of paddlers and spectators from over 35 countries and territories.
Tarkong competed on Sunday, Aug. 18, and saw action in the Master Men’s (50-59) Division of the V1 500m Sprints, placing sixth in heat 5 with a time of 257.94.
On Monday, Aug. 19, Tarkong and Ball competed in their final races. In the Open Men’s Division of the V1 500m Sprints, Tarkong placed sixth with a time of 3:10.90 while Ball clocked 3:44.01 in the Open Women’s Division of the V1 500m Sprints.
“The event brought the sport of outrigger canoe racing to the forefront and created an opportunity for us to compete and inspire all generations of paddlers in the NMI,” Tarkong said.
Initially, Tarkong and Ball signed up to compete in the club divisions, but they learned that the only races for the V1 competition were in the country divisions.
“We did well,” Ball said. “We tried our best, but we couldn’t make it to the repechage,” referring to a second-chance round in the competition
“It was amazing to meet and compete with the best in the world,” Tarkong said. “It was like sending our best NMI basketball players to compete in the NBA.”
The International Va’a Federation holds world sprints annually. Tarkong said every year paddlers from the NMI plan to attend and compete, but finances and a 12-day long event can take a huge toll on a single person, and more often than not, this has prevented local athletes from achieving their goal.
“So for Pips and I, it was a dream come true even though we did not advance,” Tarkong said. “We are humbled to represent the NMI. We thank all our supporters, and the persons who helped with our GoFundMe page.”
He and Ball also acknowledged the Saipan Paddling Club and Marianas Pacific Paddlers, with whom they constantly competed for the past few months.
They said they were also excited to represent the Northern Marianas National Sports Paddling Federation and the Marianas Outrigger Club.
“We have been weighed, measured and fell short,” the two said in a joint statement. “But you are not defeated when you lose. You are defeated when you quit. Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
Pipit Ball smiles as she paddles onto the course of the Open Women’s V1 500m Sprints at the IVF Va’a World Elite and Club Sprint Championship 2024 in Hilo, Hawaii.
Pat Mae Villanueva, a former San Antonio, Saipan resident, poses for a photo with the CNMI’s paddlers after bringing food, water and snacks for the team.
Former Saipan resident Yosh Gabaldon and family members pose for a photo with NMI Sports Hall of Famer Bill Sakovitch at his house in Hilo.
Ashley Reiko Pangelinan, center, assistant area coordinator for the NMI team, poses for a photo with Pipit Ball and Jason Tarkong.
Jason Tarkong poses for a photo with NMI Sports Hall of Famer Bill Sakovitch and Tarkong’s Marianas High School Class of 1984 schoolmate Teresa W. Spaulding.
