HONOLULU — The Hanalei Canoe Club Woman’s Open 4 secured a gold medal at the 2012 Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship at the Ke‘ehi Lagoon in O‘ahu Saturday. Members of the Open 4 team include: Sarah Zietz, Sandy Zietz,
HONOLULU — The Hanalei Canoe Club Woman’s Open 4 secured a gold medal at the 2012 Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association State Championship at the Ke‘ehi Lagoon in O‘ahu Saturday.
Members of the Open 4 team include: Sarah Zietz, Sandy Zietz, Lahela Correa and Lilinoe Forrest, who also coaches the woman’s team.
“We were all super stoked and really wanted to win so we could get the Open 4 gold back in Hanalei Canoe Club,” Sarah Zietz said.
Forrest and her teammates took the gold while competing against two-time defending champions Kalihi Kai Canoe Club.
“I didn’t expect to win, I mean we wanted to win but we were just hoping to medal. The ladies that came in second won this race the past two years, and in 2008 they are tough,” Forrest said in an email.
Forrest’s mother, Kainoa, previously coached the Woman’s Open 4 and had success competing in the same event. She passed away in 2010.
“This was my mom’s race. She won it four to five years in a row,” Forrest said. “I just remember her dominating that race at states and hoped that when I got older, her and I could race that race together.”
Next year, Hanalei Canoe Club will defend the gold medal at home on Kaua‘i.
“We are all going to try our hardest to keep it, we won for Aunty Kainoa,” Sarah Zietz said.
“I know my mom is up there smiling down on us,” Forrest said. “Like my mom would always say, ‘Wear that crown and keep adding those jewels.’ I’m wearing that crown and this is my first jewel, and there will be more.”
