Noy-Itthilit crew prepare to defend title

Noy-Itthilit crew prepare to defend title

The winners of last year's Vientiane traditional boat race, the Noy-Itthilit crew, are confident of retaining their title at this year's event as Vientiane celebrates its 450th anniversary as the Lao capital.

The same rowers, from Thaphabath district in Borikhamxay province, have been invited to crew the Noy-Itthilit boat from Thanalaeng village in Hadxaifong district this year after ending the run of three-time champions Hadkieng at last year's races.

The races will take place on Sunday, with the first group starting at 8am and the last finishing at 5:30pm.

The owner of the Noy-Itthilit boat, Mr Nuan Sidala, said about 60 rowers from Thaphabath district have been practising hard over the past several months and are eager for the opportunity to defend their title.

“We have worked closely with local authorities to optimise the training schedule, aiming for victory. We particularly want to be the victors on the historic occasion of Vientiane's 450th anniversary,” he said.

Mr Nuan, who is on the festival organising committee, is hopeful that his boat will claim victory again and move closer towards the coveted special traditional trophy that is awarded to crews who win the races for three successive years.

Most boat owners concentrate on winning the traditional longboat category, because these boats are considered an important aspect of Lao culture.

Friday is considered to be a day of good fortune so many crews, including Noy-Itthilit, will perform a special ceremony to launch their boats on the Mekong ahead of the big day.

Most crews have been practising up and down the Mekong for many weeks, if not months, as they aim to get into form for the renowned races.

This year, 28 crews will take part in the races. The competitors will consist of six sport boats crewed by men, 14 traditional longboats crewed by men and eight traditional longboats crewed by women.

Last year's traditional l ongboat category saw Noy-Itthilit claim the title, followed by the Phonhong boat, the Oubmoung crew from Sikhottabong district, and the Hadsuan team in fourth place.

In the sports boat category last year, defending champions Thapha lost their title to the Khokxai boat. Both crews hail from Hadxaifong district in Vientiane.

Third place in this category went to the Sithane boat from Hadxaifong district.

In the women's traditional longboat races last year, another team from Phonhong village was crowned champions after defeating the Hadkieng women's team, while the Phanmanh boat came in third.

After monitoring the Mekong over recent weeks, the race committee is confident that there will be no problems caused by the low level of the river, claiming it is actually higher than in previous years.

Before the boat races on Sunday, Buddhist believers will go to their local temple early on Saturday morning to make offerings, while candlelight processions will occur at temples around the country on Saturday evening.

Later in the evening people will make lai heua fai (bamboo and banana leaf boats decorated with candles and fireworks) before launching them on the Mekong.

Others will flock to witness the mythical naga fireballs along the Mekong River from Pakgnum district to Borikhamxay province.





By Phonesavanh Sangsomboun
(Latest Update October 22, 2010)
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/Free_Noy-Itthilit.htm