Sound the alarm: The “Lightning” of Shell Va‘a is back, and is as powerful as ever.

The Tahitian outrigger canoe paddling powerhouse reclaimed the prestigious Hawaiian Airlines Molokai Hoe title in its iconic red-and-yellow canoe, named “Lightning,” via a dominant performance Sunday. Shell Va‘a crossed the finish line in 4 hours, 35 minutes and 16 seconds, and has now won the sport’s “Super Bowl” an unprecedented 11 times over the last 13 years.

“Good surfing, good guys and good feelings,” said veteran Shell Va‘a steersman Tauatua Tepava.

Defending champion Red Bull Wa‘a crossed the line nine minutes and five seconds after Shell Va‘a, while Outrigger Canoe Club (4:44:55) finished third. Hui Nalu Canoe Club (4:52:38), Talifit Bora Bora (4:55:47) and Toa Amok Bora Bora (4:56:47) rounded out the top six.

Lanikai (4:57:03) finished seventh overall and was the top crew composed entirely of local paddlers for the second consecutive year.

Paddlers made the 41-mile trek from Molokai’s Hale O Lono Beach to Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki to complete the 66th edition of the Molokai Hoe. The field featured 98 crews and included squads from Hawaii and teams from California, Connecticut, Washington, Australia, Canada, France, Singapore and Tahiti. Participants in the test of strength, endurance and strategy face unpredictable winds and waves in addition to the varying currents throughout the treacherous Kaiwi Channel.

Shell Va‘a’s victorious crew also included Damas Ami, Paiateuira Tamaititahio, Iorama Teahu, James Mairau, Isidore Tevaearai, Narai Atger, Charles Teinauri and Ta‘aroa Dubois.

According to reports from officials on the water, Shell Va‘a took the lead from the start and eventually opened up a “3-to-4-mile lead” over the nearest canoes as the Tahitians neared Diamond Head, and essentially left any potential drama for the runner-up crews to sort out.

The Shell Va‘a squad started its dynastic dominance with a run of eight straight titles, which came to an end in 2014 when Tahitian competitor EDT Va‘a claimed the Molokai-to-Oahu crown. After Shell Va‘a reclaimed the Molokai Hoe championship in 2015 and 2016, Red Bull Wa‘a emerged last year to best the two-time defending champions by 31 seconds. The Red Bull paddlers became the first squad based in Hawaii to win the race in 12 years.

“This year, we had a really big lead, it was nothing like last year. We trained every day for 90 minutes. We will be back next year for No. 12,” said Tepava.

Shell Va‘a still owns the course record that it set in 2011 after finishing in 4 hours, 30 minutes and 54 seconds — nearly eight minutes faster than the previous record, which it also held.

Red Bull Wa‘a’s crew included Kainoa Tanoai, Daniel Chun, Ha‘amatai Leon, Heiva Paie-Amo, Earl Cox III, KeakuaHanae Nolan, Chevelier Hikutini, Faree Sham Koua and Ricky Mao.

“We were battling (with Shell Va‘a) in the beginning, and we were going to play defense and see where they went, but our hull speed wasn’t there,” said Cox III. “They pulled away from us from the beginning, and we took a gamble by going inside and that worked for a bit, but we couldn’t hang with them.

“(As defending champions), we knew we had a target on our backs, and obviously, (Shell Va‘a) is beatable.”

Red Bull Wa‘a previously raced as Livestrong — the namesake of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong’s charity — then switched monikers to Mellow Johnny’s (Armstrong’s bicycle shop in Austin, Texas), before changing to Na Koa O Kona and then taking on the Red Bull brand two seasons ago after the energy drink sponsored the crew.

Paddlers dealt with light winds and manageable waves coupled with changing currents throughout the treacherous Kaiwi Channel.

The sweltering heat and humidity coupled with light, variable winds made it imperative for paddlers and their escort teams to focus on hydration while executing well-timed changes to keep participants as fresh as possible.

“It was flat, and there was some texture and bumps, and it’s always so challenging to manage the channel and surf — even by changing out to get fresh guys in the boat, it’s never easy,” said veteran paddler Travis Grant who was a member of Outrigger’s third-place crew. “Shell was ahead the whole way, we didn’t even see them. We were pacing with Red Bull, and we couldn’t quite catch them at the end.”

Lanikai will continue to build from within as a program and still holds the distinction of being the last Hawaii-based team composed entirely of local paddlers to win the Molokai Hoe after doing so in 2005.

“We’re really proud of what we did, and had a strong crew with a bunch of dedicated guys who work their asses off — there are no shortcuts,” said Lanikai paddler Andreas Gaeta moments after completing his 10th career competitive crossing. “We build our crew from within the club’s ranks, and that makes our kids and novice paddlers better as they try to make the first crew. This is the hardest channel I’ve ever done, hands down.

“I’m beyond proud of my guys, and we paddled a helluva race. We’re about Hawaii paddling and our club, and for all the kids out there who want to be here one day, there are no shortcuts and we’re happy about that.”

Team Maui Jim/Andaz Wailea, which formerly raced as Team Primo, still holds the record for the fastest time by a Hawaii competitor, which it set in 2011 (4:42:59). The crew represented a model of consistency having earned sixth place or better in every Molokai Hoe since forming in 2009 before finishing in 10th place (5:08:01) on Sunday.