The winner of the 2026 Flag Day fautasi race, the newest Manulele Tausala from Nuu’uli has been awarded a total prize money of $35,000…$25,000 from ASG and $10,000 from the family of Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid. The champion was also presented the Fautasi Flag Day Cup and the Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid Perpetual Trophy.
The prizes were announced by Secretary of Samoan Affairs Faiivae Alex Godinet while Lt Governor Pulumataala Ae Ae Jr. presented the checks and trophies at an awards presentation at the Office of Samoan Affairs on Tuesday. Victoria Reid, a granddaughter of the late Lealaifuaneva Peter Reid was present to hand over the check of $10,000 and perpetual trophy to the champions. Following is the rest of the monetary prizes for the Flag Day Fautasi Race.
2nd-Alao-$23,000
3rd-Fuao-$22,000
4th-Matasaua-$21,000
5th-Fealofani Samoa-$20,000
6th-Aeto-$18,000
7th-Paepaeulupoo-$16,000
8th-Manulele Tausala II-$14,000
9th-Lupelele-$13,000
10th-Taema-$12,000
11th-Iseulaolemoana-$11,000
12th-Fale o Latia-$10,000
13th-Manulele Tausala I- $7,000
At the awards presentation Samoa’s Consul General Leausa Fata Brian Kaio elaborated on the Samoa Government’s invitation for the top five fautasi of the Flag Day race to compete in Samoa’s Independence regatta. He explained that the Samoa Government will provide assistance for fautasi from American Samoa for travel to Samoa and expenses while there.
The MV Samoa Express would be made available to transport local fautasi to and from Samoa. While the Lady Samoa 4 would provide four return charters for all crews. All entry permits will be waived, the government will select villages close to the town of Apia for crews to stay and will provide transport while in Samoa. The Samoa Police Force would also provide 24 hours security for fautasi while in Apia.
Secretary of Samoan Affairs Faiivae and Lt Governor Pulumataala extended appreciation to all fautasi, captains, crews and villages and acknowledged that their willingness to prepare their fautasi for the Flag Day race made the celebration memorable and enjoyable. Faiivae said that the monetary prizes awarded were no where near close to the amount of money that villages spent on their long boats and preparation of crews.
Captain of the Fuao, Sen Gaoteote Palaie spoke on behalf of all fautasi captains to thank the Flag Day Committee and especially the Office of Samoan Affairs for their efforts in organizing the long boat races. He said what was most gratifying was seeing the young people compete in a friendly spirit and there was no animosity or violence.
Prizes for the cricket competitions were also presented.
Womens Division
1st-Teine Seaula-$12,000
2nd-Teine o le I’a-$11,000
3rd-Teine Faasaulala-$10,000
4th-Teine o le Tunaula-$9,000
The other 14 teams that competed received $2,000 each.
Men’s Division
1st-Sinapati-$17,000
2nd-Tama Seaula-$11,000
3rd-Pisisami-$10,000
4th-Mosiula-$9,000
The other eight teams in the mens cricket league received $2,000 each.
This year marked the first time a Faafafine Cricket League for Flag Day was held.
1st-SOFIA East-$4,000
2nd-USA Faafafine-$3,000
3rd-SOFIA West-$2,000
4th-Samoa Faafafine-$2,000
Monetary gifts were also given to villages whose malae were used for the cricket games as the Fagaalu Park was not available. Alao, Alofau and Vaitogi each received $3,000 while Vailoatai was presented $5,000 as most of the games were held there.
It was also announced that the four high schools that entertained for Flag Day, Fagaitua, Samoana, Leone and Manu’a High Schools are receiving $15,000 each while the two schools that prepared floats, Nu’uuli Vocational Technical High School and Tafuna High School are receiving $10,000 each.
