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Distance paddling starts tomorrow

The long-distance paddling season kicks off tomorrow with its traditional opener, the Duke Kahanamoku Races hosted by Lanikai Canoe Club.

Some 40 entries are expected for the 37th men's race, a 24-mile course from Kailua Beach to Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki. Defending champion Team New Zealand/Hawaii heads the field as the top seed for the race, scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. start.

The women's 7-mile race, which begins at 7:30 a.m., is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The figure-8 course runs from Kailua Beach around Mokolea Rock and Popoia Island back to the beach.

More than 30 women's crews are expected for the race, which begins with a Le Mans beach start. For the first time, a mixed division (three men, three women) will be included with categories for Masters 40 and Masters 55.

The races are held annually on the Sunday closest to Kahanamoku's birthday (Aug. 24).

Perkins leads surfers into Converse quarters

Defending Converse Hawaiian Open champion Bonga Perkins won his heat to advance to today's quarterfinals of the surf competition at Queen's Beach.

Perkins was one of nine longboarders from Hawaii to advance, joining six Californians and one Floridian.

In the women's quarterfinals, Honolulu's Joy Magelsson won her heat as did Honolulu's Pinoi Makalena and Amy Lawson. Waianae's Desiree Desoto finished second in her heat to also advance to today's semifinals.

The day was highlighted by an expression session which included 83-year-old Rabbit Kekai and Haleiwa's Ben Aipa.

Youth volleyball team finishes 4-0 in pool play

The USA Youth national volleyball team closed pool play at the NORCECA championships with a pair of sweeps. The U.S. defeated Guatemala 25-16, 25-21, 25-19 and Mexico 25-18, 25-20, 25-18 to finish unbeaten in pool play. The Americans play Puerto Rico in the semifinals.

Spencer McLachlin (Punahou) scored seven points against Guatemala (four kills, three aces) and added six points (three kills, one ace, two blocks) against Mexico. With libero Adam Tuifagu (Kamehameha) anchoring the passing, setter Kawika Shoji (Iolani) had plenty of options.

Pearl City loses in U.S. final

The Pearl City Junior Little League team lost to Tampa, Fla., 5-0 yesterday in the U.S. championship game of the 13-14 World Series at Taylor, Mich.

Alika Pruett struck out four and walked one for the Hawaii team, which plays Mexico today in the consolation final. Peter Kirkwood struck out five in a complete game for Tampa, which plays Venezuela today for the title.

Babe Ruth team opens play: Hawaii, the Pacific Southwest regional champion, opens play today at the 14-year-old World Series in Wilson, N.C.

Hawaii takes on New England today to start four days of pool play. The top three teams from each pool advance to the championship bracket, which concludes with the title game on Aug. 28.

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