BPI Boracay 200
by Bank of the Philippine Islands 3 Mar 12:14 AEDT
22-27 February 2024
BPI Boracay Cup inshore racing © Guy Nowell / BPI
For many years, Boracay stood as a beacon for sailors worldwide, drawing them to its pristine waters to participate in the most exciting regattas. Events such as the Subic to Boracay Race garnered acclaim as Asia's premier regatta route, attracting fleets from all over the continent with its top-notch wind conditions and pristine waters.
However, the island's vibrant sailing scene was abruptly halted in 2016 with Boracay's closure for rehabilitation. The subsequent impact of the Covid pandemic further subdued the once-thriving sport, casting a shadow over Boracay's nautical heritage.
In a remarkable turn of events, the inclusion of Boracay in the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series has sparked a resurgence and excitement in the sailing community. The staging of the inaugural BPI Boracay 200 marks a significant milestone in reviving Boracay's stature as a prominent venue for sailing events in Asia.
"Revival has been a key theme in the story of BPI, particularly in the private banking space. We have redefined this arena through the BPI Private Wealth Signature Experience, with a promise to go beyond banking. The revival of Boracay's sailing scene mirrors our commitment to revitalizing and redefining spaces where we see huge potential" said Tere Marcial, President and CEO of BPI Wealth. "Just as we are transforming the private banking landscape in the Philippines, we aim to breathe new life into Boracay's nautical identity, enhancing a destination that not only captivates with its beauty but also thrives with the most thrilling sailing activity. This is our small contribution to ensuring that we promote the best of the best in the Philippines while supporting marine conservation."
Reviving the Subic to Boracay Race with BPI
The event kicked off with the revival of the 200 nautical mile Subic to Boracay Race which started in Subic Bay in front of The Lighthouse, leaving Grande Island to port and continuing towards Mariveles Point. The fleet passed across the mouth of Manila Bay where they were greeted by La Monja, Corregidor Island, and Fort Drum. Steady winds took yachts down the Nasugbu coast leaving Punta Fuego Yacht Club to port, and Fortune Island to starboard. At sunset, sailors pressed on past Calatagan towards Cape Santiago.
The fleet headed southeast towards Verde Island Passage, known as a major centre of marine biodiversity in the Philippines. After several hours of endurance test and determination, sailors traversed upwind through the night on the waters bordered by the world famous dive sites of Anilao, Verde Island and Puerto Galera. Approaching Calapan point, a most challenging wind hole greeted sailors with boats bobbing for hours on end in scorching heat as they entered Tablas Strait, negotiated the coastline of Oriental Mindoro leaving Tablas Island to port. At this point, most of the participants have sailed for well over 30 hours as they eagerly glimpse the sight of Carabao Island on to the finish line on the northwest side of Boracay Island. Through this journey, the fleet was supported by the watchful eye of the Philippine Coast Guard vessel BRP Malapascua. Clinching the Line Honours was Belatrix, skippered by Jun Villanueva with a recorded elapsed time of 37 hours, 55 minutes, and 9 seconds.
Three days of exhilarating yacht racing and fierce competition ensued; inshore racing on bright blue waters in brilliant sunshine, with winds clocking at a strong 30-40 knots daily. Selma Star skippered by seasoned sailor Jun Avecilla emerged as the Overall Winner in the IRC Class. Jun and his crew clinched the coveted BPI Boracay 200 Perpetual Trophy after topping the IRC Racing Class against five other competing boats. Securing a podium finish in 2nd place overall was Misty Mountain, skippered by sailing veteran George Hackett bagging the 2nd place, and Belatrix copping the 3rd place.
In the Cruising Class, the top honours went to Wild Honey skippered by James Villareal, followed by John Quirk's Columbus in second place and Lady May, skippered by Bong Perez in third.
The BPI Boracay 200 is organized and conducted by the Ocean Racing Club of the Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Yacht Club, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Municipal Government of Malay. The event is supported by WWF Philippines as marine conservation partner.
Sailors are thrilled to see the Boracay sailing scene come alive once again with the success of the BPI Boracay 200. The BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series has now successfully wrapped up the BPI Corregidor Cup, BPI Busuanga Cup, and the BPI Boracay 200. The series' last stop will be in Subic Bay for the BPI Subic Regatta, 2-5 April 2024.
For more information about the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series and upcoming events, please visit
signatureyachtraceseries.com.