3rd Standard Insurance Ninoy Aquino Day FE28R International Regatta

PhilSail © PhilSail

FarEast 28R © Standard Insurance

If you are at a loose end 22-24 August, then we have a suggestion for you: PhilSail are holding their annual FE28R Standard Insurance Ninoy Aquino Day Regatta.

Sailing out of the Subic Bay Yacht Club marina berths, and racing in the most excellent waters of Subic under sunny skies, this a no-brainer of a regatta.

'PhilSail' is the Philippine Sailing Association, and anyone who has raced in Subic Bay will tell you that consistent breeze, open waters, and scenic coastline make it one of Asia’s very best racing venues. The Subic Bay Yacht Club provides the ideal setting with excellent facilities and a good organisational record. Last year the Ninoy Aquino Day Regatta attracted entries from Ireland, Portugal, Taiwan, and Hong Kong - as well as the Philippines home-grown talent that proved hard to beat. Take up the challenge: Ridgely Balladares (PHI) took home the box of chocolates by a fair margin last year, but was it all 'local knowledge'?

There is no entry fee for the regatta, and the FE28R boats are offered free-of-charge. Just get an email off to the Race Secretariat - Pen Avila at - and get moving! Clark (CRK) is the nearest airport, and there are plenty of budget flights. Taxi/Uber/Grab to Subic is just 45 minutes.

Here's the NOR:

1. Rules
1.1. The event will be governed by the rules as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028.
1.2. The following will apply
• World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Appendix B for Inshore Racing.
• FE28R class rules will apply, except all boats may race with a maximum number of 6 crew for all male and mixed, and 7 crew for all female) with a maximum weight limit of up to 425kg.
1.3. Competitors are advised to bring and wear their personal buoyancy aid during racing (Though lifejackets will also be provided by the organizing committee.
1.4. Engine should be fully secured in the provided rack inside the boat while racing.
1.5. A Protest Committee will be appointed.
1.6. On-Water Judges will be used to provide an advisory information service.
In the case of conflict between any of the above the succeeding items take precedence.

2. Advertising
2.1. Boats may not carry advertising, unless supplied and attached by the Organizing Authority.
2.2. Crew wishing to carry sponsors names or logos should seek approval from the Organizing Authority in order to prevent conflicts with the Event Sponsor.
2.3. Teams wishing to wear their team uniform should seek approval from the Organizing Authority.

3. Eligibility and Registration
3.1. The regatta will be using the one designed FE28R boats. Boats and sails will be provided. 3rd Standard Insurance Ninoy Aquino Day FE28R Open Regatta Notice of Race 1
3.2. The event is open to all keelboat sailors including foreign teams.
3.3. Teams wishing to enter the event must complete the Entry Form and return it to the PSA through email no later than 1700H 18 August 2025 to Race Secretariat Pen Avila at +639460019025 or
3.4. Boats will be allotted by the drawing on lots during skippers briefing.
3.5. Participants must bring their national flag, measuring approximately 1 foot wide by 1.5 feet long (1' x 1.5'), to be displayed on the backstay while racing.
3.6. Participants who wish to cancel their participation must inform the organizing committee at least two weeks in advance. This allows us to allocate the slot to other interested competitors.

4. Classification
World Sailing Regulation 20 Classification Code shall not apply.

5. Fees
5.1. No entry fees shall be collected from the competitors.
5.2. If in case a damage of a boat arises during the event, damage will be assessed by a technician and can be settled after the event. Assessed amount shall be paid to the organizing authority on a cash basis.
5.3. If the damaged boat cannot continue to race after the incident, she may use the spare boat on the next race.

6. Practice
Teams wishing to practice before the event should contact the Philippine National Sailing Center (Allan Balladares +639352123137).

7. Schedule
The following is the schedule:

Monday 18 August
1700H Deadline for submission of entry

Wednesday 20 - Thursday 21 August
0800H – 1600H Teams Practice

Thursday 21 August
0800H onwards - Crew weighing and registration
1400H Practice Race

Friday 22 August
0900H -Skippers briefing/Drawing of boats
1055H Warning signal

Saturday 23 August
0900H Skippers briefing/Drawing of boats
1055H Warning signal 3rd Standard Insurance Ninoy Aquino Day FE28R Open Regatta Notice of Race 2

Sunday 24 August
0900H Skippers briefing/Drawing of boats
1055H Warning signal
1500H No warning signal
1 hour after last race - Awards ceremony

8. Sailing Instructions
The Sailing Instructions will be available at the skippers briefing but before that it will be sent out through email to teams that completed and returned the Entry Form.

9. Venue

For skippers briefing/debriefing:
Subic Bay Yacht Club boat house

For racing:
Vicinity waters of Subic Bay

For awarding ceremony:
To be announced at the skippers briefing on the last day.

10. The Courses
Courses to be sailed will be Windward/Leeward Courses.

11. Scoring
11.1. The low point scoring system will apply.
11.2. 2 races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
(a) When fewer than 6 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores.
(b) When from 6 to 8 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her worst score.
(c) When 9 to 10 races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of her race scores excluding her two worst scores.

12. Radio Communication
12.1. Communication between the Race Committee and the competitors will be on Marine VHF Channel 69 (VHF radio will be supplied by the organizing committee).
12.2. Except in an emergency, a boat shall neither make radio transmissions while racing nor receive radio communications not available to all boats. This restriction also applies to mobile phones.

13. Prizes
13.1. There will be trophies for the top 3 teams. 13.2. There will be free limited snacks and beverages during the awarding.
3rd Standard Insurance Ninoy Aquino Day FE28R Open Regatta Notice of Race 3.

14. Disclaimer of Liability
Competitors participate in this event entirely at their own risk (See RRS 3, Decision to Race). The Organizing Authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during or after the event.

15. Event Information & Updates
Race Secretariat – Pen Avila
+639460019025

Room reservations – Subic Bay Yacht Club +639176268149

Participants can access valuable information, including updates, official documents, and announcements, through the following channels:
Website: philippinesailing.org
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/SailingPilipinas
WhatsApp Community: chat.whatsapp.com/BuR6SujfOWi63JEWQPZOEj