President's Cup more silverware- Subic Centennial

by Asian Yachting News on 30 Mar 2008 After an hour and a half wait for the sea breeze to come in, the two remaining races to decide this years champions could get underway. The building breeze produced some great sailing conditions that settled the intense rivalry developing between competitors and prove a fitting end to a tough regatta.

IRC Racing Class
Coming into the final day Judes Echauz Sydney 46 Subic Centennial held a comfortable 6.5 point lead. When they corrected out with first place in race five the engraver got to work on the overall trophy. They must be very happy as it is the second major Asian race/regatta victory for the Philippine boat in the same week. Ray Roberts crew on his DK46 Quantum Racing did their damndest to reduce the deficit with a second in race six and first place in the last race to end up with second place in the overall stakes. Once again only seconds separated the seven racing boats on corrected time to show just how hard it is to win a race, let alone the series in this class. Two third places for Chris Meads Corby 43 Full Metal Jacket lifts them to third overall after a very up and down regatta and no doubt has some further fine tuning to do. Frank Pong's Jelik was back on the pace but after yesterdays disappointment and with the drop race being introduced, finished up in fourth overall.

IRC Cruiser/Racer Class
A similar fate awaited the eleven IRC 1 class yachts when George Hackett's J-35 Jo De Ros Rudy Project once again sailed above their handicap rating to score first place in race five and seal the deal on first overall. In the fresh breeze Geoff Hill's Lyons 49 Strewth climbed back into contention with a third and first place plus after the drop race is taken out of the equation they ended up in second overall. Not bad considering they lost the keel on the new boat and still had the sheer tenacity to turn up at Subic and perform so well, all in the space of a week. From near disaster to happiness. Martin Tranco's X 452 Challenge started the regatta with fourth places but improved as the event wore on especially in the fresh breeze where the longer waterline comes into play to take a well earned third place overall. At the start of race five Jun Avecilla's Beneteau First 36.7 Selma Star was called over the line and as they failed to return dropped down to fourth overall.

Performance Handicap Class
After winning race three yesterday the Japanese sailors Yamamoto and Nishi on the chartered X - 99 Fast Exit carried on their good fortune to win today's final race. Unfortunately the 9, 6 finish in the first two races has them back in fifth overall. James Donovan's Beneteau First 47.7 Adec Solution led by the proverbial mile but lost some minutes with a bad spinnaker drop which left them with second place in the final race and second overall. Although David Mc Kenna's Sun Odyssey 42 Raparee XXX could only manage third place today he survived the onslaught to claim victory in the overall class title.

Summary
This year the racing class has grown in size and stature plus reaching a stage were it is becoming increasing difficult to win the class. Instead of minutes, it has come down to the seconds separating the entire fleet. The boat owners must be praised for bringing there respective racing teams together and campaigning there finely tuned racing machines throughout the season. This maybe raising the bar for prospective new entries to contend with but if one wants to play with the big boys it is something that they should be prepared for both financially and in the talent department. Otherwise they will have to settle on the Cruiser/Racer class where a large contingent of mainly local sailors are competing with distinction and having allot of fun whilst doing so. One thing for certain is that event organisers in Asia will cater for everyone that wants to race on a yacht and extend a warm welcome to all comers.

It was announced at the prize presentation party that the President's Cup will be held at Boracay again next year, straight after the Manilla - Boracay Race. The dates for the combined event are from 14th to 21st February and judging from the success last year and to avoid disappointment intending competitors should start making plans and bookings at this very windy and popular tourist destination in the near future.


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