WestPac Hobie Champs 2010 slated for Boracay

by Boracay International Organizing Committee on 11 Dec 2009 The Philippine Hobie Challenge Foundation is pleased to announce the holding of the West Pacific Hobie Championships at Boracay Island, Philippines, 18 – 21 February 2010. Boracay has been the venue for a number of Hobie events over the years, with the Philippine Hobie Challenge starting from there in 2004 and finishing there in 2000, 2006 and 2009. Since 2001 the annual Hobie 16 Boracay Cup has also taken place in the clear windy waters off Boracay.

The location is ideal for Hobie racing. In February the predominant ‘Habagat’ wind blows from the east, providing good winds and calm waters for the racing area inside the reef. Taking part in the competition will be Hobie 16s and Hobie Tigers. The Tigers will be shipped in especially for the event from Hong Kong and Pattaya, Thailand.

The WestPac Championships has attracted entries from many countries including Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Marianas Islands, Japan, Korea and of course the Philippines. Classes will compete for prizes in the Open Class, Philippine National Championship, Masters (over 45), Grand Masters (over 55), Youth (under 21) and Ladies.

Crews will gather for registration, boat tuning, practice and a practice race on Friday 19 February. A full day’s racing will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with up to six races each day. The grand finale will be the Awards Night celebrations on Monday night.

Many of the competitors will be staying on after the WestPac Championships to compete in the Boracay Cup. This event, which was initially established for Keelboats and Ocean Multihulls, will open its doors to the Beach Cats for the first time. The Hobie 16 and Tigers will race on long 15 to 20 mile offshore courses, which is totally different to the windward /leeward courses used for the WestPac Championships. Racing in the Boracay Cup takes place from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 27 February.