Little Rina Scoops Inaugural Measina Festival Longboats Race

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, Samoa – 03 September 2026 – In choppy and windy conditions, the much anticipated Longboats Race for the inaugural Measina Festival, witnessed Little Rina from Toamua village take home the first-place in an exciting five mile race.

Little Rina, led by Captain Matuaotofiga Faagalu Fonoti from Toamua, was quick to start and gained an early lead.

The distance between Little Rina in the lead and Telefoni ole Vainuu in second place.

The champion of the 2026 Independence race, Telefoni ole Vainuu from Manono-Tai, and captained by Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt, put up a strong opposition until Little Rina secured and maintained a comfortable distance right to the finish line.

Facing a strong headwind and drizzle throughout, the race had its intense moments as the leading boats approached the final stretch around the Mulinu’u peninsula, and the race became very intense as Telefoni ole Va-i-Nuu tried hard to catch up.

In third and fourth place, Tavaesina from Salua, Manono ahead of Apia Maroons.

In the end, it was Little Rina’s moment crossing the finish line first as winner of the inaugural Measina Festival Fautasi – Longboats race.

Final Longboat Placings

1. Little Rina from Toamua.
2. Telefoni ole Va-i-Nuu from Faleu, Manono.
3. Tava’esina from Salua Manono
4. Apia Maroons 2 from Apia
5. Aviivii from Toamua