2024 Fautasi Race Results
Refer to our original Fautasi Race story for a better explanation of what this Samoan tradition entails.
The celebration of the American Samoa flag day has finally come to an end. The traditional fautasi race was originally planned to be held on April 16, 2024, a day before American Samoa’s flag day. However, the fautasi race committee decided to postpone it 7 days later due to ‘horrible weather circumstances’. Tuesday, April 23 becomes the day most Samoans look forward to, the fautasi race day. Today's weather was perfect for a fautasi race; calm waters and a light breeze with the sun beaming down over the islands.
Picture above displays village boats far and not properly aligned once the race started.
Like the beginning of every fautasi race, the village boats enter into the ocean to line up properly with plenty of time to spare. The fautasi race was scheduled to start at 09:00 AM on April 23, 2024, but due to undisclosed circumstances from the fautasi comittee it began earlier than expected. The early start caught everyone by surprise, including the fautasi race commentator. This mistake put plenty of village boats at a disadvantage as they were far behind when the race had started.
Although the fautasi boats were at a disadvantage, the race itself was very fascinating. Manulele Tausala from the village of Nu’uuli and Paepaeulupo’o from the village of Aua battling it out for the first place, which ultimately ended with Manulele Tausala placing first and Paepaeulupo’o placing second. The fautasi race became even more intriguing when Fealofani Samoa III from the village of Fagasa pushed to third place very quickly and unexpectedly.
Before the race began, the fautasi boats were not lined up properly. The Fealofani Samoa III were far behind, along with Iseula from the village of Fagatogo, Fuao from the village of Vatia, Lupelele from the village of Ili’ili, Aeto from the village of Pago, and Manulele Tausala 2 (not to be confused with Manulele Tausala 1). Despite being very far behind, Fealofani Samoa III managed to swiftly catch up to both Manulele Tausala and Paepaeulupo’o, resulting in them finishing in 3rd place.
“Fealofani Samoa III is this year's Fautasi boat to watch”.
The results from the fautasi race are in!
Manulele Tausala 1 (1st place) and Manulele Tausala 2 (9th place) was awarded with the prize money.
Manulele Tausala from the village of Nu’uuli
Paepaeulupo’o from the village of Auau
Fealofani Samoa III from the village of Fagasa
Matasaua from the village of Manu’atele
Aeto from the village of Pago Pago
Fuao from the village of Vatia
Iseula o le Moana from the village of Fagatogo
Lupelele from the village of Ili’ili
Manulele Tausala 2 from the village of Nu’uuli
It has been hours since the fautasi race has ended. Regardless, the people of American Samoa have shown complete dissatisfaction of how the committee handled the 2024 race. Most took it to social media to express their feelings and village pride; some even went so far as to rewatch the fautasi race in order to expose the committee's errors. The two committee errors include; the displacement of fautasi boats once the race began and a marine patrol employee riding a jet ski very close to the fautasi boats causing the waves to interfere with the rowers speed. As Tautua Multi-Sports recall, the marine patrol pushed out a notice to the public a day before the race stating that “no boats will interfere with any of the fautasi lanes”. However, it appears that the marine patrol disregarded their own rules by having one of their own jet skis interfere with the fautasi lane of the Paepaeulupo’o.
The question remains, “Will the fautasi committee take necessary steps to ensure that next year’s fautasi race will not have any complications from start to finish?” Every year there is always another fautasi mistake. We have yet to receive an update from the fautasi committee regarding the specific events leading up to the race and its commencement. Tautua Multi-Sports acknowledges the hard work that each village has put into training and caring for the crew; however all that training becomes a waste if the committee does not come up with a way to ensure a fair and equal competition.
With that said, Tautua Multi-Sports would like to congratulate this year's 2024 fautasi winner Manulele Tausala from the village of Nu'uuli. Tautua Multi-Sports would also like to recognize all the fautasi boats that participated in the 2024 fautasi race. You have represented your respective village very well and your actions don’t go without notice. All that remains is to hope and anticipate that the fautasi race committee meticulously plans and considers every detail of the race to prevent upsetting the Samoan community
~We hope to see you again at next year’s fautasi race.
