2 paddlers win at Vaka Eiva

Hawaii’s Jane McKee won the OC1 masters women 12-kilometer race and Jeannette Ka the OC1 senior masters women’s 12K race at this week’s Vaka Eiva outrigger canoe event in the Cook Islands.

McKee, representing Makana Ali’i, finished the course from Avarua Wharf to Matavera Point and back in 1 hour, 26 minutes, 38 seconds, over 10 minutes ahead of New Zealand’s Merana Hodges. Melanie Kelekolio of Big Island Girls was third in 1:41.04.

Ka, who paddles for Hawaiian Outrigger, finished the same course in 2:07.46, nearly seven minutes ahead of New Zealand’s Leanne Raeburn.

Tapa Worthington finished second in the OC1 open men’s 18K race from Avarua Wharf to Avana and back in 1:46.59, nearly 10 minutes behind Australia’s Todd Cohen.

Three Hawaii paddlers finished in the top nine of the senior masters men’s OC1 12K: Barry Chang of Hawaiian Outrigger fourth, Anuenue’s Nappy Napoleon eighth and Gaylord Wilcox ninth.

In the open women’s 18K V6 race won by New Zealand, the Big Island Girls finished second by 6 seconds over third-place Hui Nalu. The Big Island Girls also placed second behind New Zealand in the masters women 12K V6.

A combined Anuenue/Hawaiian crew placed seventh in the mixed masters 12K V6. Hawaiian also placed fourth in the senior masters women’s 12K V6.

The event concludes Friday.