Subic Showdown for BPI Signature Series
by Guy Nowell 8 Apr 08:49 PDT
8-11 April 2026
BPI Subic Regatta 2026 © Guy Nowell / BPI
It's the end of the line for the BPI Signature Yacht Race Series 2026. After the Corregidor Cup, the Busuanga Cup, and the Boracay 200, the last event for the series 2025-26 is now under way: the Subic Regatta 2026. This is another event that has arrived at today after a number of iterations - there was the Philippines Easter Regatta, the President's Cup, and the Commodore's Cup. Some of us still remember the Triple V parties under the biggest flag in the country, when Subic had just ended its incarnation as a US Air Base, and when Mayor Gordon had just started creating the bustling Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority that we know today.
Subic Bay is a grand place to lay out a racetrack. A few quick up-and-downers. A scenic trip to Baretto, Shark, and Vasco's, or a circuit around Mayanga, Red #8 and Olongapo Bay - there's plenty of room. Subic is a big stretch of water, and can include the lot. Or maybe a set of windward-leewards for the hardcore racers at the same time as a point-to-point course for the Cruiser fleet.
Today's opener took in the full length of the bay, from Baretto to Shark, and ending with a leg from Mayanga into a finish in front of the eponymous lighthouse. The wind was very polite, behaving exceptionally well and blowing 12+ kts all day. For the fleet leaders it was a spinnaker run almost all the way to Shark, where the breeze took a pause, reversed itself, and turned into a sea breeze. For those on the right side of the transition it was a blessing - for those just five minutes further back it made for a long day of beats. First across the finish line was Judes Echauz' Centennial III, delighted to take the Line Honours win away from the bigger and faster Centennial VII with Alan Balladares in charge. Winner on corrected time was Jun Avecilla's Selma Star, proving that size doesn't aways matter, especially when you know this stretch of water like the back of your hand. "I didn't do anything," said Avecilla. "My son Marcus drives, and I just tell him where to go." Marcus agrees, but says that he doesn't always listen.
The Philippines is an archipelago just begging to be explored, as yet almost undiscovered by the Cruising fraternity. There are only three boats in the Cruising class, and there really ought to be more. René Ticzon's Papaya took both line and handicap honours, and Estelita del Mar (Stella Camperie Aguila) cleaned up in the Multihull division when Carino 'timed out' before the finish.
Forecast for tomorrow is "more of the same", and Race Officer Simon James is looking to mix it up a little. The last event on the BPI Signature Yacht Race Series is going to be a decider. Watch this space.