Police & FESA Regatta Victory Upholds Statement Against Illegal Drugs

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 3 June 2026: The surprise victory by the police and Samoa Fire & Emergency Services Authority longboat, Malu-o-Samoa has accented the law enforcers efforts to stamp out illegal drugs in the country.

After pulling an unexpected victory at the longboat’s regatta finals on the last day of the independence celebrations, skipper Asuaso Junior Vaalotu said the win strongly supports the efforts against illegal drugs in the country.

After coming third on the first race on 1 June, the Malu-o-Samoa fautasi showed a lot of potential but seemed to lack experience and fitness but gave the Tolotolo on Tamauli a tough competition in the first legs of the race.

On the final race, all five but the winner of the first race, Telefoni ole Vainuu used scooped oars. The attention then focussed on Telefoni and Tolotolo o Tamauli.  However, when the gun went off for the final race, the new recruits rowing Malu ole Malo took a determined start off the mark.

After hitting the front early, the police and fire and rescue new recruits were determined not to give in when Little Rina from Toamua closed in and gave the new rowers pressure right up until the finish.

There were several times when the changed; however, the Malu-o-Samoa put more effort into their rowing until they put a distance between them and Little Rina at Vaitele.

Malu-o-Samoa took only 5 weeks for training and assisted by former Segavao skipper, Vaimasanuu Zita Martel.

This years two independence races were an effort to revive the sport which was the highlight of independence celebrations in the past years.

Race placing
1. Malu-o-Samoa – Ministry of Police and Samoa Fire & Emergency Services Authority
2. Little Rina from Toamua
3. Tolotolo o Tamauli from Salelologa Savaii
4. Telefoni o le Vainuu from Manono
5. Sheraton Apia Maroon from Apia
6. Tausala o le Vasa Loloa from Salua, Manono.

Telefoni o le Vainuu won the Monday race using wooden oars and continued to use the same oars in today’s race.