The 2004 IVF Hilo World Sprints continues today at Hawai’i Island’s Hilo Bay with 71 scheduled races, plus a number of carryovers from Thursday’s competition.

Highlights will include V6 (six-man) 1000-meter semifinal rounds for the master, senior master, golden master and both junior divisions.

Sixty-two races were completed yesterday. With a number of protests still to be resolved, 17 repechage heats and the open women’s 1500-meter V6 semifinals were to be rescheduled. Repechage heats offer non-winners of races a second chance to advance in the competition.

Finals of all 44 events are planned for all day Saturday and Sunday morning.

The Arts, Crafts and Wellness Show begins today and continues through Saturday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. The free show features booths, concessions, exhibitions and entertainment from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The Hilo World Sprints Cultural Program was held last evening at Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium with professional entertainers and groups of paddlers from participating countries and regions, many wearing traditional native dress, offering songs, chants, dances and goodwill greetings to fellow paddlers and the public.

The Hilo World Sprints Celebration will be held at Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium on Saturday, beginning at 7 p.m. The t-shirt exchange and dance will feature live entertainment, including special guest performers. The public is invited for a $3 admission fee.