Boracay Cup Regatta 2013 - racing abandoned due to high winds

by Guy Nowell, Sail-World Asia on 20 Feb 2013 Another grey, wet and much-too-blustery day in Boracay – what happened to the slue skies and perfect sailing breeze that we were promised? The reason is Tropical Depression 02W Crising which 'is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by early morning tomorrow, Thursday, 21Feb2013. Tropical Depression (TD) Crising slowed down as it crossed the Sulu Sea before noon Wednesday, even as two areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1, state weather forecasters said.' (www.gmanetwork.com)

At 1000h this morning TD Crising was estimated at 220 km northwest of Zamboanga City, packing maximum winds of 45 kph near its centre, and moving west-northwest at 19 kph. The weather system is a long way from Boracay, but its tentacles are long.

Arriving at Race Control at the Boracay Beach Resort this morning, competitors and regatta personnel were advised that the Coastguard had thrown a blanket ban on all water activities. That meant that there were no further decisions necessary from the RO and up went the 'N' flag. Coffee was ordered, and the crew of Zanzibar retired to the bar at the Café del Mar for that renowned Breakfast of Champions – cold San Mig. That makes two days in a row ‘on the beach’ for Jonno Mahoney and the Zanzi-boys, having missed racing yesterday on account of a crew injury just before the start.

When was a day’s racing at an Asian regatta last cancelled due to too much wind? The RHKYC’s 2010 Hong Kong-Vietnam Race was scrubbed out by a typhoon warning, but apart from that we can’t remember any. So what to do in Boracay when there’s no sailing? Kite surfing is ‘off’ due to the overall ban imposed by the Coastguard, but some people headed off for a massage, an outing to a seafood restaurant, and even the golf course. This evening’s prizegiving party has been re-badged as an ‘Abandon Race Party’.

The Boracay Cup Regatta 2013 is proudly sponsored by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines!’); the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO); the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA); I Love Wine; Ibiza; Movenpick Hotels; Fila Sportswear.