Job done! Team French Polynesia coming ashore after winning a gold medal in the Open V6 final. Silver was claimed by Wallis and Futuna and bronze by Fiji. DC Park, Honiara, 29 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Tahiti has dominated the Vaa competition at the Pacific Games in Solomon Islands, winning the Open V6 men's and women's 1,500 metre finals.
Other participating countries and territories that made it to the final were Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, The Cook Islands, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
Ocean conditions were difficult at DC Park in Guadalcanal on Wednesday with under currents and a stiff offshore breeze making tight turns hazardous.
Samoa's team manager Colin McCarthy said the conditions resulted in several upsets coming through the heats.
"It's been a real struggle we have had boats flipping just on this race here with Samoa in the semis the Palau team they flipped over themselves as well so yeah as soon as that happens you are pretty much out," McCarthy said.
Against the tide – Team Samoa (in front in blue) were disqualified in the women's Open V6 final. Tahiti (red) managed to hold out Fiji (white and black) to wing gold. Bronze was claimed by the Cook Islands. DC Park Guadalcanal, 29 November 2023 Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
In the men's final Tahiti powered to their gold medal victory looking unfazed by the water conditions with a time of 8 minutes and 7 seconds.
In second place were Wallis and Futuna who finished with a time of just over 8:15s followed by Fiji with a time of 8:29s.
Team Tahiti's Teena Taoahere said success through the heats and semis really built up their confidence for the final.
"We are feeling good last race we had some waves but we had a good race and feeling with the guys is pretty good.," Taoahere said.
"We had to practice the surf going one way and then against the wind the other so we just had to put in some lourde (French for heavy?) practice."
In the women's final the defending champions French Polynesia had to hold off a determined Fiji in the final stretch to secure the gold medal with a time of 9:52.
Tahiti Vaa Coach Philippe Bernadino said he is pleased his young squad stepped up to defend the title.
"Yeah good because the new team is the young ladies on the team," Bernadino said.
"We did not bring the champions this year because they have work and the new team is young and I am happy".
The Fiji women got silver with a time of 10:03 but they had by far the best team welcome waiting for them on the beach.
Fiji captain Elenoa Vateitei said they had really struggled with the water conditions throughout the day and she was just grateful they came so close to gold.
"You know we got off to a rough start in the beginning in the heats and then to semis and then to you know come out with the silver medal in the finals man you know all glory and praise goes out to the man above," she said.
"And to everyone that has support us thank you so much I am just like my heart is just full of gratitude right now for the women who have stood beside us throughout this journey and those women who did not make it to the team but still supported us man this medal is for you all."
Tough water conditions – Team Cook Islands head out for the starting line in their Open V6 final with a stiff offshore breeze and strong undercurrents making for difficult conditions. Cook Islands claimed the bronze medal, silver was taken out by Fiji and Tahiti mirrored their male counterparts in the same event claiming gold. Samoa were disqualified for a turning flag infringement. 29 November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Vateitei had earlier last week won gold medal in her individua event.
The Cook Islands women took out bronze with a time of 10:09 although they were pretty much guaranteed it after Samoa were disqualified for an infringement at a turn flag.
Vaa action continues today (Thursday) at DC Park with the men's and women's V1 Marathon which is a 16km race.
PNG trio claim 400 metre medals
Papua New Guinea has claimed gold, silver and bronze in the men's 400 metres at the Pacific Games.
Benjamin Aliel won the final in 47.17s - just 4-hundredths of a second ahead of compatriot Daniel Baul.
Emmanuel Wanga took the bronze in the PNG 1-2-3.
In the women's race, Australia's Ellie Beer won in a time of 52.67 seconds.
New Zealand's Camryn Smart was second, and Papua New Guinea's Leonie Beu was third.
Papua New Guinea’s trio of Benjamin Aliel (middle), Daniel Baul (left)and Emmanuel Wanga won all the medals available in the men’s 400 metre final at the Sol2023 Pacific Games on Wednesday night. Photo: Pacific Games Media
Karan wins second gold
Fiji's Yeshnil Karan has won the men's 5000m at the Pacific Games in Honiara on Wednesday, adding to his gold in the 10,000m.
He ran a time of 15 minutes and 14.89 seconds.
Tahiti's Benjamin Zorgnotti was second, just over four seconds behind.
Papua New Guinea's Siune Kagl was third.
Tan claims second long-distance gold
Tania Tan has added the 10,000m gold medal to her 5000m victory at the Pacific Games.
The Northern Marianas athlete won the 10,000m final in a time of 39:45.62s.
Solomon Islands' Dianah Matekali was second, less than a second behind.
New Caledonia's Deborah Kaboer was third, after also getting the bronze in the 5000m.
Samoa and Fiji claim touch gold
Samoa has claimed the gold medal in the women's touch rugby.
They beat Papua New Guinea in the final 8-7.
In the bronze medal match, Fiji pipped the Cook Islands 7-6.
In the men's Fiji went two places better - winning the gold medal match over Niue, 5-2.
Samoa's men's team claimed bronze over PNG with a score of 8-7.
Niue beat Vanuatu to post their first ever Pacific Games netball victory. Photo: Pacific Games News Service / Paul Fefera
Tonga, Fiji remain unbeaten in netball
Tonga and Fiji remain unbeaten in the Pacific Games netball competition.
The Tala are four from four in Pool A, with Fiji three from three in Pool B.
On Wednesday, Papua New Guinea, Niue, and Samoa also had victories.
But the story of the day in the competition was Niue beating Vanuatu to post their first ever Pacific Games netball victory.
Niue netballers created history on the court after picking up their first ever win at a Pacific Games netball competition.
The team defeated Vanuatu 59-28 and claimed their first taste of netball victory at a Pacific Games.
Speaking to the Pacific Games News Service, Niue team manager, Malama Rex Melagi, was full of praise for her team, adding that the win and creating history for their country made her and the team proud.
"The girls were outstanding. They did what we asked to do and they did it with urgency and effort. It's a brand new team we have, and we haven't played at the Pacific Games in 20 years. Our coach used to play in our world cup team 20 years ago - for the girls, it's their first."
Samoa, Fiji and Tonga all secured semi-final spots after convincing victories on Wednesday.
Samoa defeated Solomon Islands 87-19, with Fiji raking up another big 98-16 win over Norfolk Island.
"We are happy with the win, though there is still room for improvement. We could have done better and scored more but its good to finish off the pool rounds unbeaten. We now look forward to Friday's semi-finals," Fiji Pearls coach Una Roroura told Pacific Games media.
Pool A leaders the Tonga Tala scored a whooping 77-30 victory over Cook islands, avenging their 2019 Pacific Games final loss in Samoa.
PNG claims tennis mixed doubles
Papua New Guinea (PNG) won the Sol2023 Pacific Games tennis mixed doubles competition on Wednesday at Honiara's National Tennis Centre.
PNG's Abigail Tere-Apisah and Mathew Stubbings claimed the coveted mixed doubles title, defeating Tahiti's pairing of Mehetia Boodisie and Antoine Vosin in straight sets (6-3, 6-0) in Wednesday's gold medal match.
"I am just really so happy with today's win. Its is even sweeter that we have managed to go one better than we did four years ago, losing in the final of this event. It is always really special to win a medal, let alone win gold for your country. I am indeed grateful for the support, especially having my partner and son here with me - so it is extra special for me," Tere-Apisah told the Pacific Games Media.
Meanwhile, Fiji took out the mixed doubles bronze after a hard fought three set (6-4, 3-6, 11-9) victory over Samoa.
Beach volleyball battle
The Pacific's top women's beach volleyball pairing of Sherysyn Toko and Majabelle Lawac are looking hot as they continue their title defense campaign.
The Vanuatu pair beat Palau in two straight sets on Wednesday.
They said they were prepared for their title defense and want to win back to back titles.
Other pool toppers in the women's division include Solomon Islands (Pool A), Australia (Pool B) and New Caledonia (Pool D) - all winning two of their opening matches in the competition.
Meanwhile Papua New Guinea has emerged as the surprise package in the men's beach volleyball competition, beating Tuvalu, American Samoa and Tahiti.