Fautasi Committee depends on drone footage to declare race winner

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Four fautasi that competed in the BlueSky 25th Anniversary 4th of July Regatta have been disqualified for not abiding by the rules of the race.

The Nu'uuli Manulele Tausala Lowrider, Fagasa Fealofani Samoa and Aua Paepaeulupo'o which engaged in a thrilling head-to-head contest when the race started, and Nu'uuli's second boat Manulele Tausala 2, were disqualified by the Regatta Organizing Committee after drone footage of the race was reviewed.

The turn of events has paved the way for the Matasaua from Manu'a to register their name in the history books, as champions of this prestigious and much anticipated regatta for the very first time. Matasaua won the first prize of $10,000.

Second place with a prize of $8,000 was awarded to Pago Pago Aeto, third place and $6,000 was won by Ili'ili Lupelele and fourth place went to Fagatogo Iseula o le Moana with a $4,000 monetary prize.

The Nu'uuli Manulele Tausala Lowrider, Nu'uuli Manulele Tausala 2, Fagasa Fealofani Samoa and Aua Paepaeulupo'o did not place.

The official results were released by the Fautasi Organizing Committee yesterday afternoon, after a meeting of fautasi captains and the Fautasi Committee led by BlueSky CEO and President Justin Tuiasosopo held at Sadie’s by the Sea.  

The captain of the Aeto from Pago Pago receiving their second prize of $8,000 from BlueSky CEO Justin Tuiasosopo. [courtesy photo]

An official statement from BlueSky American Samoa posted on its Facebook page stated that the official results were decided upon "after much deliberation and discussion by committee members and captains.

"Decisions were made and were not taken lightly, to ensure that all rules put forth ahead of time were transparent, understood, and followed. These rules were enforced to determine a fair race for each village and their fautasis.

"According to overwhelming evidence, the bottom four fautasis did not adhere to the rules of our starting line," the Fautasi Organizing Committee announced.

Ili'ili Lupelele representatives receive the third prize of $6,000 from BlueSky CEO Justin Tuiasosopo. [courtesy photo]

However, the committee clarified that each of the four penalized fautasi will still receive a consolation prize.

The statement continued, “Our heartfelt wishes and prayers are with Vatia Fua'ō fautasi, as they were unable to race due to an unforseen accident the day prior to the race. “

The committee also thanked the fautasi captains for their understanding in the interest of fair play, their trust and their, support through its decision-making process.

BlueSky 25th Anniversary 4th of July Fautasi Regatta 2024 official results:

1st Place: Manu'atele Matāsaua - $10,000
2nd Place: PagoPago Aeto - $8,000
3rd Place: Ili'ili Lupelele - $6,000
4th Place: Fagatogo Iseula - $4,000

Nu’uuli Manulele Tausala 1
Nu’uuli️ Manulele Tausala 2
Fagasā Fealofani Samoa
Aua Paepaeulupo'o

The official results ended the suspense of many supporters about the race, which ended early for the Fagasa Fealofani Samoa after it capsized and floated upside down.

This stemmed from an altercation between the crews of Fealofani and Paepaeulupo'o after their oars got entangled. According to eye witnesses who were watching from the old Rainmaker Hotel site, the Paepaeulupo'o drifted too close to the Fealofani which caused the accident.

Tempers flared and some of the Fealofani crew stood up and started to hit the Paepaeulupo'o crew with their oars and vice versa. Consequently, there was too much weight on one side of the boat which caused it to turn over.

Meanwhile, more than 150 people posted comments on the BlueSky Facebook page and the majority commended the organizing committee for their unwavering stance in enforcing the rules of the race.

"Finally, a decision was fairly made according to the rules set forth before the race. If anything, the ASG Flag Day Fautasi Committee should take notes and learn from it," said one post.

Another one posted, "Hat's off to the CEO of BlueSky, committee, and skippers for making the right decision. History in the making. All the skippers were given the rules and should abide. ATTITUDE REFLECTS LEADERSHIP!!!"

Even some supporters of the disqualified fautasis supported the committee's decision.

"Don’t get me wrong! I will always be a member of the RED KINGDOM! But this is really how it should be! If there was transparency from the get go, then regardless of the bashing, negativity, and mock that follows, it is overshadowed by the right thing!

"And I am a HUGE ADVOCATE for the RIGHT THING! E to la’u pulou i le BlueSky ma le latou faamoemoe! But if there’s anything to take from this experience, it is that there will ALWAYS be hatred and nay sayers!

"Whether it was successful or not successful, free or registered, well organized or unorganized, o le natura lava a le tagata o le complain! Congrats to Matasaua and teams that abided by the rules and have completed the match! And to all participating villages that won consolation prizes! Ia maua pea le fealofani!"