Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 2026 July 4th Fautasi Regatta, which was scheduled to launch the territory’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th Independence Anniversary, was called off yesterday after persistent windy conditions, rising swells, and a steady drizzle made the course unsafe for racing.

The organizing committee — led by the American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) and the Reid Family Group — announced after their meeting last Thursday that the race distance would depend entirely on weather conditions, with officials prepared to implement one of three course options based on the state of the sea.

If conditions mirrored the near‑perfect weather seen during the 2026 Flag Day Regatta, with minimal swells outside the harbor and the water inside smooth as oil, the regatta would follow the full five‑mile course.

If winds produced swells and choppy seas, the start line would shift to Breaker’s Point, reducing the race to a two‑and‑a‑half‑mile route.

However, if the waters outside the harbor became too rough due to inclement weather, officials planned to move the start to Amu‘ula, along the coast of Aua village, where conditions are typically calmer and safer for the crews.

Yesterday dawned overcast and drizzly, prompting the race committee to activate option three. By 7:00 a.m., the two government tugboats were already positioned at Amu‘ula, where the race was scheduled to begin.

By 8:00 a.m., the official start time, there were still no signs of improving weather. Only the Paepaeulupoo of Aua had reached the starting line, while other fautasi crews — observing the unfavorable conditions from Pago Pago — chose not to proceed to Amu‘ula.

With the weather continuing to deteriorate, the race committee called off the regatta, postponing it to today, weather permitting.

A member of the organizing committee said the regatta has now been rescheduled for 8 o’clock this morning, depending on weather conditions.

He noted that it is unfortunate the event coincides with the cold season in the southern hemisphere, which often brings unstable marine conditions to the region.

“This time of the year is warm in the northern hemisphere and cold in the southern hemisphere,” he said. “So we have cold winds from the South Pole creating swells, rough seas, and rain.

“Hopefully, the weather will improve tomorrow (today) so that the race can go through.”

FAUTASI ACCIDENT

The Manulele Tausala Lowrider II of Nu‘uuli and the Paepaeulupoo of Tua collided yesterday.

Champions of the 2026 Flag Day Fautasi Race, the Manulele Tausala Lowrider II decided to take a practice run yesterday morning from their boatshed in Utulei to the finishing line in Pago Pago.

Captain Taufete‘e Tanielu Taufete‘e told Samoa News that as his crew was heading out from Utulei, the Paepaeulupoo — whose captain had also opted for a practice run — was already making its way into the bay. Taufete‘e said he allowed the Paepaeulupoo to pass first and instructed his crew to begin rowing only after it was about two fautasi lengths ahead.

When Lowrider II reached the finishing line, the Paepaeulupoo was already there.

Taufete‘e said his crew rowed past it, beyond the finishing line, and were in the process of turning around when the front of the Paepaeulupoo slammed into the back of their fautasi. The collision, he said, damaged two oar pins and scraped the hull of their boat.

Taufete‘e added that the Paepaeulupoo captain should have instructed his crew not to row during the turn, giving Lowrider II the space needed to maneuver safely.

The Nu‘uuli captain said that fortunately no one was injured, and that the damaged oar pins had already been repaired.

Both faustasi are expected to race in today’s heats, if they happen. Notably, the two fautasi are scheduled to race against each other in Heat #1.

The lineup for the two heats are still as follows:

HEAT 1:

1. Paepaeulupoo — Cap. Paopaoailua Tino Iulio

2. Matasaua — Cap. Faleto’a Elijah Leasau

3. Alao — Cap. Satele Ali’ita’i Lili’o

4. Manulele Tausala Lowrider II — Cap. Tanielu Taufete’e

5. Iseula o le Moana — Cap. Leota Hanipale Hanipale

6. Fale o Latia — Cap. Moeitafa Roberts Mavaega

7. Lupelele — Cap. Faafetai Pagā

HEAT 2:

1. Aeto — Cap. Ailao Tualaulelei

2. Manulele Tausala Airforce — Cap. Mark Atafua

3. Fuao — Cap. Upueresa "Palako" Gaoteote

4. Fealofani Samoa III — Cap. Papatua Faima Tua

5. Taema — Cap. Faiivae Godinet

6. Manulele Tausala Lowrider I (Toeaina) — Cap. Fanene Apelu Soomalelagi