Anne Cairns paddled her way to win the Te Aito outrigger competition in Tahiti over the weekend. She was unstoppable in the one-man canoe.

Te Aito is not just a sporting event, it is a cultural celebration, imbued with Polynesian values of strength, teamwork and respect for the sea. Te Aito, meaning "champion" in Tahitian, is an annual outrigger canoe race held in French Polynesia that showcases the prowess of Polynesian paddlers and attracts international competitors.

Cairns shared that she will continue to paddle due to her love for the sport and the ocean. 

"I am very happy, this is my first Aito, and I really didn't know the place. I didn't expect to win as it was a tough race. But it was a really good experience for me. Next time, I will come back and do my start much better. I'll keep racing, and this is the best event to be part of. I really loved it," she said.

Cairns acknowledged the support she received from her husband, paddlers in Samoa and New Zealand, and all who have supported her journey throughout. She said she feels proud to put Samoa on the podium at the Te Aito competition in Tahiti. 

The race traverses a challenging 20 to 30 km course, combining lagoon and open sea elements, testing the athletes' endurance and navigational skills amidst the stunning backdrop of the islands.

The Te Aito is an outrigger canoe marathon, considered as one of the world’s most prestigious and challenging va’a races.

The Te Aito is an individual outrigger canoe race for local and international athletes. It is held every year in June in Tahiti or Moorea. The Super Aito is a second individual race for the top paddlers in the Te Aito race. It is a race over a distance of 30 miles, mostly on the open sea.