RP team sailing for gold

By Anthony Deleon  INQ7.net

 

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Philippine sailing bet German Paz outclassed his peers in the board sailing event while teammates Ridgely Balladares and Rommel Chavez cruised to the top of the 470 class Friday at the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.
Paz, who bagged the silver medal in 1995 in Bangkok and a bronze in 1997 in Jakarta, showed his mastery of the winds that swept through the complex waters of Subic Bay, a former US naval base southwest of Manila.

 

Results have remained provisional as judges still deliberate on protests filed by the six competing countries.

 

"Protest is a common occurrence in sailing. Winners in all classes will be known after the jury has decided on all the protest," said sailing official Mike del Mundo.

 

Reneric Moreno of Anilao, Batangas finished second in the Formula class, while Rafael Buitre and Richly Magsanay docked third in the 420 open class.

 

In the Hobie 16 Open, Louie Perfectua and Mark Gil Francisco are aiming for the bronze.
 
If sailing officials rule in favor of the Philippine team, the country will have a total of two golds, one silver and two bronzes in the event.

 

The last Philippine gold in sailing came from the J24 Keel boat category during the 1993 Singapore games.