Honolulu Star Bulletin – June 2002

Star Bulletin

Hawaii Wins Again in NY Outrigger Race

NEW YORK >> Team Hawaii has no peer at the Liberty World Challenge outrigger canoe race.

Hawaii won the men’s division of the paddling event yesterday in New York City for the fifth consecutive year.

Hawaii won the race, which has been run six straight years, in 1 hour, 57 minutes, 25 seconds — more than eight minutes ahead of the closest competitor.

The 14-mile course passes Governors’ Island, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island before finishing at Pier 84.

Nine countries, and 100 teams, were represented in the race, including the United States, Australia, Japan, Tahiti, Brazil and Germany.

Members of Team Hawaii were James Foti, John Foti, Mike Judd, Thiebert Lusia’a, Keali’i Pa’aina and Walter Guild, the team captain and manager.

Newport Aquatic Center (Calif.) finished second in the race in 2:05.38 and Manuiwa (Conn.) placed third in 2:07.56.

Team Hawaii did not send a women’s team to the Liberty World Challenge this year.

Offshore Canoe Club (Calif.) won the women’s event in 2:16.05.

Team Hawaii returns to the islands tomorrow.