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Telefoni o le Vainuu to Use Wooden Oars in Final Race
By Jeannie Penehuro/
Apia, SAMOA – 02 June 2026 – The standout performance by Telefoni o le Vainu’u fautasi from Faleu Manono yesterday has intensified interest as the captain Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt confirms he will use the same wooden oars to race in tomorrow’s final.
Telefoni o le Vainuu kept its secret of a fast take off and secured a demanding lead ahead of rivals Tolotolo o Tamauli from Saleologa who had a hard time shedding off a determined Malu o le Malo rowed by FESA and police officers.
The first longboats – fautasi race of the 2026 Independence Celebrations was specifically for rowers to use the traditional flat wooden oars carved out of Samoan wood.
The final race tomorrow is specifically for rowers to use modern scooped oars popularly used by high-tech longboats in American Samoa.
The five fautasi in yesterday’s five-mile race, waited for some time for Tolotolo o Tamauli that arrived late and took time to turn around take its position at Lane 2.
However, the other five fautasi had been in place for sometime and ready to go. So when the gun went off, Telefoni o le Vainu’u’s captain, Leiataualesa Brunt timed it well; and footage of the race show his boat taking off comfortably and into a clear lead in the first few minutes of the race.
He built up on the lead until he managed to stay clear with three fautasi lengths infront of its closed rival, Tolotolo o Tamauli, a distance he kept until the finish.
Telefoni crew celebrating at the finish line.
While the race focused on the leading two rivals, the other three fell far behind with the third one coming through five minutes after the Tolotolo o Tamauli crossed in second place.
The focus on tomorrow’s final see the pressure mounting on Tolotolo o Tamauli to better its performance and avoid the Telefoni o le Vainuu getting a clean sweep of the longboats races in the 2026 regatta.
Leiataulesa is making a subtle point that he will race in the final using traditional wooden oars and if he repeats his win, it will prove that it is not the oars but the skill and fitness of the crew.
Telefoni o le Vainu’u’s captain, Leiataualesa Brunt and Co captain, Taloolemaagao.
The official results of the Long Boats Wooden Oars Placings:
- Telefoni o le Vainu’u – Manono Island
- Tolotolo o Tamauli – Saleologa, Savaii
- Malu o Samoa – Police & FESA
- Little Rina – Toamua village
- Tausala O le Vasaloloa – Salua, Manono Island
- Sheraton Apia Maroons – Apia and the same boats will compete in tomorrows final.