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The traditional 'fautasi' race (longboat racing) continues to be the most popular one-day event during the Samoa Independence celebrations and the American Samoa Flag Days. The winners receive a handsome prize money but more prestige is the glory and honour accorded to the village in which the captain and crew are from.
Most 'fautasi' are from respectable villages renown for its long history of being great navigators and seafaring people such as the 'Manulele Tautala' from Apolima, the 'Telefoni o le vainuu' from Manono, 'Savali o le Filemu' from Falelatai and the 'Oti' from Fagaloa.
However, the use of modern technology to design the boats have created a noticeable shift from the traditional designs and heritage knowledge to a more scientific approach.
The shift in boat design and rowing style started to take form fifteen
years ago when two long boats from the Kingdom of Tonga, named Tui Vava'u and Tui Hapai,
out classed all the Samoan
boats. And for the last ten years, the new designs have dominated the
races with urban boats making a mark in the sport.
Such was the case in this year's celebration in American Samoa when Little Rina from Toamua took first place winning 1st prize of $10,000 USD.
There were eight longboats from American Samoa with Little Rina as the only competitor from Samoa. 'Aeto' from Pagopago came second, closely followed by 'Fealofani' from Fagasa. Next race is during Samoa's 40th Independence Celebrations in June.
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