The Telefoni o le Vainuu fautasi crew, despite submitting their application to join the Fautasi regatta after the registration closed, have been given the green light to participate.

Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed when contacted by Samoa Observer that the Independence Committee gave approval for the fautasi crew from Faleu in Manono to race.

"We've given approval to just the Telefoni o le Vainuu from Faleu Manono who requested to submit their application after registrations closed for all interested crews to participate in May's regatta," he said.

"The Independence Committee and captains from all four registered fautasi crews met and have all agreed for the Telefoni o le Vainuu to submit their registration fee and participate in May's race and also boost the spirit of the race."

This will mean five fautasi crews will be competing in the fautasi regatta next month, which will be one of the last draw cards of Samoa's 60th Independence anniversary celebrations.

The four teams that officially registered before registration closed are Tolotolo le Tama Uli, Don Bosco, Marist Old Boys, and Little Rina from Toamua.

Registration for interested crew members closed on 24 March 2023 with the Police consistently appealing for the interested crews to apply before the deadline. 

The Telefoni o le Vainuu and its' possible rowers were the first crew to publicly express interest in participating in this year's race.

The Fautasi regatta – which is timed to coincide with the country's 60th Independence anniversary celebration – was initially scheduled to be included in the independence anniversary celebration last month but was postponed to next month.

All registered teams and their captains who were expecting the competition to kick off this month were asked to meet on the day of the closing of the registration. 

The Commissioner also confirmed that they will wait for the final approval by the Independence Committee of their proposal to continue the water sport. A total of SAT$60,000 in prize money is on offer for the winning crew. 

It has been more than five years since the country last held a national fautasi race after it was dropped by the previous Independence Committee and incorporated into the Teuila Festival. In 2017 the traditional fautasi regatta was abandoned altogether at the Teuila festival, and replaced with traditional dancing and other forms of entertainment.