Over 144 international paddlers participated in this year's event, representing multiple nations including, USA, Hawaii, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the Cook Islands.

For the second consecutive year the Iron Races kicked off the annual event Day on the Monday ahead of the main Motu2Motu race on Tuesday, December 3.

The Iron races allowed paddlers to put their own teams together, and for many of the paddlers it would also be their first chance to check out the stunning Aitutaki lagoon.

Twenty Four teams competed in Iron event which saw teams race from Arutanga wharf towards Motu Rapota, then turn back to the wharf.

The race this year was much closer than last year with the lead changing many times. The changeovers were exciting places for spectators, as paddlers swapped in and out at some of the most beautiful locations on Aitutaki.

Post-race, a prize giving and kaikai kicked off at the Aitutaki Fishing Club to the sounds of very popular music duo, Tani and Rose.

Thursday saw a casual style canoe sprint day at Ootu Beach, a great way to top off what is becoming almost a week-long paddling affair now. It's not hard to see why 50 per cent of paddlers this year were returnees.

This event wouldn’t be possible without the full support of many people and paddlers in Aitutaki.

Motu2Motu is offering a unique event that is certainly finding its niche. Next year will mark the 10th year anniversary and it promises to once again be a sell-out and scheduled to take place from 30th November – 4th December 2020. Information for registration will be available in March at www.motu2motu.com

Motu2Motu Aitutaki is now a multi award winning event having picked up two awards, Winners of the Festivals and Events Award and Outer Island Award for 2015/2016 at the Air New Zealand Cook Island National Tourism Awards. 

For further information email Poppy [email protected]

MOTU2MOTU 2019 RACE RESULTS

TOA MOANA IRON

MASTER WOMEN:

3rd – E5 – EFS - 1:06:44 – Ho Oahu Oli Australia

2nd – Akitua – 1:06:28 – Lattitude 48 Canada

1st – Tourism - 1:04:05 – Pandanus Australia

OPEN WOMEN:

3RD – Matson – 1:07:19 – Northshore Renegades Maui Hawaii

2nd – Toa Blue – 1:05:57 – Wainui O Moana Parihaka New Zealand

1st – Bubbles – 1:04:46 – Nga Hinemoana New Zealand

MASTER MEN:

3RD – E5-SMW – 58:59 – Noosa Australia

2nd – Tourism – 58:20 – Pandanus Australia

1st – Matson – 54:53 – Te Tupu O Te Manava Cook Islands

OPEN MEN:

2nd – Bubbles – 1:00:37 – Team Gary Hawaii/Aitutaki

1st – Rozsa – 56:57 – WTFIA NZ AUS CANADA

36KM MOTU2MOTU RACE

1st – MATSON -Time: 3:04 – Team Brown – Captain Api
VAKA: MATSON TEAM NAME: COMPLETE
SUPPORT: TOANUI / VICTOR

• Mena Tautu
• Anthony Sword
• Cherie McGregor
• Ioane Tom
• Tania Pakoti
• Tim Mayes
• Tracey Bowne
• Muz Latham
• Jessica Flomen
• Rosemary Neill
• Alley Laybourne

 

2nd - VAKA 41 – 3:05 – Team Maroon – Captain Bok
VAKA: 41 TEAM NAME: COMPLETE
SUPPORT: BOK

• Moana Maoate
• Sani Sosene
• Judy Eicke
• Glen Knoblauch
• Karen Roselt
• John Tepaki
• Kathryn Spong
• Christopher Harris
• Paula Stubbs
• Karmen Que
• Shannon Bliss

 

3rd – TOA BLUE – 3:06 – Team Yellow – Captain Junior
VAKA: TOA MOANA BLUE TEAM NAME: COMPLETE

• Kar ye Tang
• Ian Vivian
• Stella Gan
• Paul Knight
• Lisa Crowley
• Shane McKay
• Sharon Reid
• Curtis Sullivan
• Aaliyahna Masters
• Jolinde Fox
• Niko Arihood