Tahiti, October 16, 2024 – The Shell rowers arrived Tuesday evening from Hawaii, where they won their 13e Moloka’i Hoe. All eyes are now on the Hawaiki Nui Va’a race.
13 minutes early is no small thing. Especially against an American selection which had taken home the best in order to prepare for Hawaiki Nui and shake the local canoeists. Yet this is what Shell Va’a inflicted last Sunday on Wailea Canoe Club in the legendary Molokai race where the men trained by David Tepava won a 13e victoire.
13 minutes ahead, that’s roughly 5 kilometers of distance which separated Shell Va’a from its pursuers, and this despite a completely botched start, caused by the organization of the race which had given the start before until the canoes are lined up.
“We really had a great race,” admitted David Tepava surrounded by his team when getting off the plane Tuesday evening. “We prepared well because this Molokai was one of our objectives. We can only congratulate the guys. The work paid off, we trained really hard and it’s true that finishing 13 minutes early is strong.”
From now on, the oars of Shell athletes are turned towards Huahine where they will start the next edition of the Hawaiki Nui Va’a. An edition which promises to be very competitive. After the victory in the Catalina Race, then this demonstration in Hawaii, it is difficult to wonder about the recovery of the organisms before the mother of all races. “It’ll be OK”, explains David Tepava. “We are used to these trips. As long as the body is ready, it’s fine. There are only a few adjustments left to make. We have reached our peak form. We have two weeks left and there’s not much to change.”
The same team that has just won two victories in the United States will depart from Huahine to regain a title lost last year in the last crossing between Taha’a and Bora Bora. “We line up, it’s to win”, announces the coach.
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