Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The 2026 Flag Day Fautasi Race finale delivered one of the most stunning and historic finishes in recent memory, etching the name of newcomer Manulele Tausala Lowrider II from Nuʻuuli into the history books as only the second fautasi ever to capture the championship title in its debut appearance on Pago Pago Harbor.

Twenty‑six years after Fealofani Samoa II from Fagasa made history by winning the Centennial Flag Day Fautasi Race in its first year of competition in 2000, Lowrider II stunned spectators last Thursday by repeating the feat — surging ahead in a spectacular burst of speed and holding the lead from start to finish as the Nuʻuuli crew delivered a commanding, unforgettable performance

Nine fautasi advanced to the championship race after two fiercely contested heats the previous day. All eyes were on the two dominant heat winners - Fuao from Vatia, which surged to a commanding win in Heat 1, and Manulele Tausala Lowrider II, which overwhelmed its competition in Heat 2 with a performance that left commentators stunned. Both boats had broken away early in their respective heats, crossing the finish line long before the second‑place crews appeared in view. Their dominance set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown in the final. Other fautasi delivered impressive performances on the first day, such as Alao, Fealofani Samoa III, and Matasaua

Fortunately for captains, crew members, race officials, and spectators alike, the near-perfect weather conditions witnessed during the preliminaries continued on the final day of the regatta

When the hooter sounded for the championship race, all nine fautasi leapt forward in a tight, aggressive start. But within minutes, Lowrider II, which was in lane 8, began to separate from the pack, its long, powerful strokes cutting cleanly through the morning swells.

Fuao, competing in lane 9, attempted to match the pace, staying within striking distance through the outer harbor. But as the fleet approached Blunts Point, Lowrider II shifted gears, taking full advantage of the outgoing tide and rolling swells to widen its lead. Meanwhile, Alao surged forward, battling stroke for stroke as it fought to overtake the Nuʻuuli powerhouse. By the time the race swept past the coast of Fatu ma Futi, Lowrider II was expanding its lead while Alao, Matasaua, and Fuao locked into a fierce contest for second place

As the boats approached the shoreline off Utulei, near the Nuʻuuli boatshed, Lowrider II held a commanding advantage — roughly four boatlengths ahead of Alao, which remained in second. Spectators along the shoreline erupted as the Nuʻuuli crew maintained its flawless rhythm, gliding past the Rainmaker Hotel Red Buoy and charging down the final stretch with unwavering control. Fuao held tight in third place, followed by Matasaua in fourth, with Fealofani Samoa III close behind in fifth. Defending champions Aeto from Pago Pago crossed in sixth, while Paepaeulupoo and Lowrider I battled for seventh and eighth. It was later confirmed that Paepaeulupoo from Aua had won the battle for seventh place while Lowrider I had to settle for eighth place. Lupelele rounded out the field in ninth place.

As the Nuʻuuli fautasi crossed the finish ine, the roar from the crowd echoed across Pago Pago Bay. Supporters waved flags, beat drums, and embraced one another in celebration of a victory that will be remembered for years.

For Nuʻuuli, the win marks a defining moment in its fautasi legacy. While the village has long been a strong competitor, the arrival of Lowrider II — and its immediate rise to the top — signals the beginning of a new chapter. Captain Taufeteʻe T. Manutafea’s leadership and decades of experience were evident throughout the race, with drone footage capturing his precise navigation and strategic mastery from start to finish.

And so, the spotlight belongs to Nuʻuuli — and to a debuting fautasi that made history on its very first run, a rare feat first achieved by Fealofani Samoa II during the Centennial Flag Day Fautasi Race in 2000

This historical parallel was confirmed by Alao captain Satele Aliitai Liliʻo, who served as the trainer for Fealofani Samoa II at the time. He recalled that it was the first time the village of Fagasa had revived its fautasi program since last competing in 1962. Under the leadership of Captain Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson, a new state‑of‑the‑art fiberglass vessel — Fealofani Samoa II — was built in 1999 specifically for the Centennial Flag Day Fautasi Race in 2000. Its launch marked a turning point in the sport, ushering in the era of high‑tech, lightweight fiberglass fautasi and signaling a shift away from the traditional wooden longboats that had defined earlier generations of racing

Satele later captained Fealofani Samoa II in the early 2000s before coming out of retirement last year to lead Alao in its debut appearance in the Flag Day regatta. This year, he directed another impressive performance, guiding Alao to a strong second‑place finish in only its second appearance — a result that qualifies the crew as one of the top five fautasi set to represent American Samoa in the Samoa Independence Fautasi Race in June.

However, in an interview with Satele, he revealed that Alao will not be traveling to Samoa in June due to the unavailability of several key crew members, including himself. Many, he explained, have family obligations they must honor. It is not yet clear whether the sixth‑placed fautasi will be selected to take Alao’s place, should a replacement be needed for the Samoa Independence Fautasi Race.