Out to Win!
Photo Courtesy of Eric Rosario, Chief Photographer of ABC 7 News.
Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Palau, Saipan , Japan and Guam will for a short time become enemies; however, not political enemies, but enemies on water. Although, local teams will show that they are not a force to be reckoned with.
International outrigger canoe teams are making their way to Guam this October to test their skills against their rivals from all over the Pacific Ocean. The Micro Cup is an event hosted by three different countries: Palau, Guam, and Saipan and it rotates every year. Despite the title of Micronesian Cup, it is not only a race for the islands in Micronesia but also open for other countries; hence, the arrival of Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Last year’s Micro Cup was held in Palau at Skotso, Meyuns where Guam’s juniors came out victorious in their division and the adult teams had a good representation too. This will be the event’s 10th anniversary and Guam has received the honor of sponsoring the first decade anniversary of the tri-island event. According to Haggan Outrigger Canoe Club Member Manager, Jane Crisostomo, the event will be held on October 18th and 19th, conveniently coinciding with Guam’s Micronesia Fair combining for a cultural, fun filled weekend.
This is a chance for young teams to step their game up and show older, experienced teams that despite age, they are equally fierce on the water. Man Hi’ta a team that started off as leisure paddlers are now the top ranked Mixed team in sprint races. Man Hi’ta, which means “Together We are One” in Chamorro, which is headed by Bennie Ann Mesa has come a far way since the beginning of this year as she says, “Man Hi’ta have established themselves as a team that can paddle as hard and with as much heart as any other older, experienced team out there.” She thinks that the team will definitely be ready for their off-island competitors this October, “We will truly show them our Chamorro prowess on water!”
The Micro Cup is consisted of three sprints and a long distance race. Membership Manager for Haggan Outrigger Canoe Club, Jane Crisostomo, adds that the sprints have three different race course lengths, which are 500 meters, 1000 meters, and 1500 meters. The long distance course is 10 miles and runs from Hagatna Boat Basin to Two Lover’s Point and back to Boat Basin. The Haggan Outrigger Canoe Club offers a carbo-loading dinner the night before the race and after the race there will be an Awards Ceremony followed by a luncheon also sponsored by Haggan Outrigger Canoe Club.
The Micro Cup is open for the general public to come, watch, and enjoy. Bobby Cruz of Man Hi’ta says “Please come down and support your local teams or islands, if you are either from Saipan or Palau!” Cruz, who is originally from Saipan is excited to challenge his native brothers and sisters this October. Yuriko Skibang, also from Man Hi’ta and originally from Palau, is equally excited because her son will be arriving with Palau’s junior team this year and she says, “Even though he is my son I will show no mercy on him because I expect the same from him and my cousins who are coming.” The public once again is invited to join in on the fun weekend and see Guam represent their island with pride.
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