Centennial tops President's Cup Regatta

By Jasmine W. Payo - Inquirer

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales -- Bolstered by a well-trained national sailing team, the Centennial of the Philippines captured the overall championship in the 14th President's Cup Regatta on Saturday at the Subic Bay here.

Judes Echauz's Sydney 46 Centennial, skippered by Jamie Wilmot, topped three of the six inshore races to finish with seven points in the nine-day international tournament.

"I have 14 members in my crew, 10 are from the Philippine sailing team," said Echauz after his nine-year-old boat clinched its fifth tournament title in the IRC racing class. "We're quite happy because we haven't been competing, we've been absent in the past two years."

Jo de Ros, owned by George Hackett of the United States, dominated the IRC Cruiser Racer class, while Carrera, owned by Mikhailov Ahexey of Russia, ruled the PY Cruising class.

Ray Ordoveza's Karakoa made it a 1-2 finish for the Philippines in the IRC Racing class. Narrowly trailing Centennial, the Excel 53 Karakoa garnered two first-place finishes for an eight-point total.

Jelik, owned by Frank Pong of Hong Kong, was a distant third with 16.5 points.

"Most of the race we were competing against a local boat, Karakoa, which won two years ago. Before (the last day of competition), we were tied with Karakoa," said Echauz.

Also the winner in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002, Echauz noted that the cooperative weather also boosted his crew's campaign.

"We were not sure if we could win it," he added. "But the race turned out to be very good because the wind was quite consistent."

Also on board Centennial were Captain Tom Hofvenschiold and co-owner Malabon-Navotas Representative Ricky Sandoval.

In the IRC Cruiser Race, Vivaldi, owned by Claudio Altura of the Philippines, aggregated 10 points for a second-place finish, just four points behind winner Jo de Ros. Rags of Scotland's Allan Burrell settled for third place with 15 points.

Completing the winners in the PY Cruising class are Manta of the Philippines' Edwin Almeda with eight points and Fast Exit of Japan's Seiji Kawakami with 14 points.