Va'a news Tahiti just reported that EDT won't be coming to defend their Molokai Hoe title. Apparently they have two injuries. Info came from Va'a news Tahiti FB page.
Submitted by shadyacres on Mon, 08/31/2015 - 7:40pm
Va'a news Tahiti just reported that EDT won't be coming to defend their Molokai Hoe title. Apparently they have two injuries. Info came from Va'a news Tahiti FB page.
Submitted by shadyacres on Mon, 08/31/2015 - 7:40pm
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bummers. all the Super Aito post race interviews from Shell and EDT paddlers on Vohi video talked about training for Moloka‘i Hoe. wonder what happened. will Shell come back to try and reclaim their title?
#1 Tue, 09/01/2015 - 8:24am
It would be pretty funny if Shell just came to win, and not have a race with the champs.
Gerard Teiva tells me that a Junior Tahitian crew will be at the Queens Race this weekend, should be an interesting race.
#2 Tue, 09/01/2015 - 11:21am
new boss at edt,not into va'a.injuries yes,but not the real reason.they could field a team if they did like everyone else and raised their own monies
#3 Tue, 09/01/2015 - 7:51pm
http://polynesie.la1ere.fr/2015/09/01/edt-va-grand-absent-de-la-molokai-...
anyone want to try and translate what is being said in this interview?
rosetta stone??
#4 Thu, 09/03/2015 - 9:12am
The interview doesn't provide more info than above. The president says that, due to injuries (one guy has a broken wrist, others have "muscular problems") and "personal family constraints", they decided not to defend their title as they originally planned to do. He doesn't sound particularly disappointed, and I can imagine him shrugging his shoulders in that stereotypical gallic fashion.
#5 Thu, 09/03/2015 - 4:37pm
Paddlers want to defend their title. President of EDT says they can't come due to 2 of them being injured.
They have enough good paddlers to have two teams for Hawaiki Nui, but they can't hav 9 guys for Mlokai ?
Wouldn't be surprised if some of them want to join another team next year...
#6 Thu, 09/03/2015 - 9:32pm
There is always more than is reported or said. It is expensive to get to take crew and support team from Tahiti to Hawaii. I would imagine over $40,000. When Paddling Connection won Hawaiki Nui Vaa race, I felt part of it it had to do with staying in Tahiti and focusing for that race along with great paddlers of course.
#7 Fri, 09/04/2015 - 6:26am
$40,000?! that would make it nearly $4500 each paddler. I know flights are pricey but Ive never seen a round trip from Tahiti more than $1800 if they got 1 escort boat for $1000 they still barley hit $20k. I believe The owner of EDT owns the Westin Bora Bora…So I would bet lodging wouldn't be an issue.
If crews from Japan/canada/germany can pull together resources every year to fly over I would be stunned if the Defending champs would call it a funding issue.
I don't want to argue about cost but I would find it hard to believe that they found a way to fund the last several years at 2nd place, and the 1st year they would return as champs that they would not find funding.
Injuries would play a bigger roll in my opinion. If they couldn't put forth their best crew to beat shell then maybe they want to save face, and focus on Hawaiki Nui?
I do agree with Kona J that focus being on Hawaiki Nui helped Paddling Connection in 2012
Just my opinion.
#8 Fri, 09/04/2015 - 6:53am
Couple things to consider about cost. They are going to bring 11 paddlers(back up in case someone gets injured or sick prior to race) 2 coaches, massage therapist and couple executives. Flights to Molokai $1,000 Food for a week $2,000 Housing $3,000 or so. Transportation $1000. It adds up quickly.
#9 Fri, 09/04/2015 - 7:02am