2 Sep 2019

Kiwis place sixth in world's largest outrigger distance race

1:48 pm on 2 September 2019

A New Zealand team has come sixth in the distance race at the world's largest outrigger canoe competition.

The Queen Lili'uokalani canoe races in Kona, Hawaii attract around 2,500 paddlers from around the world for five days of racing.

The University of Auckland's entry into yesterday's 29km long distance challenge faced challenging conditions on the water.

The Queen Lili'uokalani canoe races in Kona, Hawaii attract around 2,500 paddlers from around the world for five days of racing.

The Queen Lili'uokalani canoe races in Kona, Hawaii attract around 2,500 paddlers from around the world for five days of racing. Photo: Ocean Paddler TV - http://zon3.com/ocean-paddler-tv/

However, the team's manager Tiwai Wilson said the three men and three women were in peak readiness ahead of the final paddle.

Speaking before the race he said there was one aspect they couldn't train for.

"Coming from New Zealand winter where it's obviously pretty chilly over to this where it's sort of low 30's , not a cloud in the sky and not much breeze either, that will certainly be tough for them," Tiwai Wilson said.

The Queen Lili'uokalani canoe races are named in honour of Hawaii's last monarch.