President’s Cup Regatta returns to Subic Bay

by The Manilla Bulletin Online on 18 Apr 2006 Preparation is well under way for the return of the President’s Cup Regatta to Subic Bay this week. An added attraction to watch the race will be the participation of a Russian team from Vladivostok; this is the first time that the regatta has entrants from Russia. With the China Sea Race finish, a large number of Hong Kong yachts will compete for the President’s Cup Regatta Trophy as well as the China Sea Race Series. If winds are favorable, the larger and faster Grand Prix yachts will cross the China Sea Race finish line off Grande Island at the mouth of Subic Bay.

Yachts from Manila and Puerto Galera will arrive today to fill the Subic Bay Yacht Club marina. The marina will be a blaze of sleek yachts, adorned with gleaming stainless steel hardware, and flying colorful battle flags flying from their forestays. As the China Sea Race yachts and local yachts enter Subic Bay, the kick off events of the President’s Cup Regatta will be under way.

When the yacht races begin tomorrow, interest will be on the yachts in the Open Ocean Racing Class. In the current Asian Yachting Grand Prix ranking order is Hi-Fidelity, Mandrake and Drumstick. The competition among these three yachts will be keen. Although not in contention for the Asian Circuit Grand Prix, Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa, Ernesto Echauz’s Subic Centennial, Sam Chan’s FreeFire, and Frank Pong’s new yacht, Boracay, will not be intimidated by the current circuit leaders.

Other competitions in the other classes will also be keen. The Cruiser-Racer Class draws many boats from the Manila and Subic yacht clubs. Rivalries among Jo de Ros, Vivaldi, Salina, Rags and Sandoway, chartered by a crew from Holland, have long histories. Selma Star, a new Beneteau 36.7, skippered by her owner Jun Avecilla and fresh from a win in her maiden competition, the Singapore Straits Regatta in January, has the potential to beat all contenders in the Cruiser-Racer Class.

Overall positions in all classes, and the winner of the 2006 President’s Cup Regatta Trophy, will be decided on the last race on April 22. Interspersed with the award ceremonies will be lively parties as crews and their guests dance to the lively music of Filipino bands and enjoy sumptuous Filipino food.

This year’s contest promises to be memorable as the participants are all full of high spirits and competitive drive. The competition is made possible by Legenda Hotels and Casinos, the official hotel; Asia Pacific Boating, the official media sponsor; Volvo, Platinum Sponsor, Gatorade, and with the cooperation and support of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, chaired by Commissioner Feliciano G. Salonga.

One of the highly anticipated sports tourism events in the country, the annual President’s Cup Regatta, draws competitors from all over the world. The event has evolved from the first Philippine Easter Regatta held in 1993, which drew only five local yachts, into an international regatta with yachts and crews from Hong Kong, Brunei, Japan, North American, Europe and Australia participating.

To read the full story go to www.mb.com.ph/TOUR2006041861669.html