Subic, yachts ready for the President’s Cup Regatta

FOREIGN Grand Prix Yachts, led by defending champion 76-ft Maxi and Reichel Pugh-designed Jelik, skippered by Frank Pong, are all geared up for the regatta that will be held in Subic Bay starting today until March 29.

Chris Mead’s Full Metal Jacket, a Corby 43 Custom Design, the early entrant, will be joined by last year’s second runner-up finisher Ray Robert’s Quantum Racing DK 46, Nick Burns/Fred Kinmoth’s Farr-Mills 51 Fortis Mandrake, Neil Pryde’s newly converted Welbourne 52 Hi Fi Team Pryde, Sam Chan’s TP 52 Free Fire, Geoff Hill’s newly acquired TP 52, Strewth-2 and Paul Bankowski’s Kerr 11.3 Jaywalker and the all-Swiss Team Sydney 38 Stella captained by Roland Buser, in the IRC Racing Class.

The Philippines’ past winners Sydney 46, Centennial II of Judes Echauz as well as Ray Ordoveza’s Excel 53, Karakoa are entered in the group, too.

“Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is pleased with the preparations for the event that will once again put Subic Bay at the center of attraction,” said deputy administrator for Business Development and Tourism Raul Marcelo. “We are making sure that all participants and guests will have a great time in Subic. With the test run of the Clark Subic Expressway during the Holy Week and its soft opening on March 29, the public is given the opportunity to watch the regatta with greater accessibility.”

In the Cruiser Racer Class, a close battle is expected between six-time and perennial winner George Hackett’s J-35 Jo De Ros, defending champion Bashford 36 Sandoway chartered to Klass Hiijuis with his all-Dutch Team and recent Manila-Boracay Race champion Beneteau First 36.7
Selma Star, skippered by Jun Avecilla, Martin Tanco’s X-452 Challenge, Dick Morris’ Shock 35 Salina, Allan Burrell’s Farr 1104 Rags and virtual newcomer James Donovan’s Beneteau First 47.7 Balajadjai will join the fray.

The Cruising Class is expected to draw more entries this year with the participation of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing Club of the Subic Bay Yacht Club, led by Jeremy Simpson’s Warwick 43 Shibumi, Jelle Man’s Beneteau Oceanis 430 Saipin, Ton Van Hierden Beneteau Oceanis 430 Cocobolo, Austin Chamberlain’s Irwin 37 Sorcerer, Jon Kerner’s Ted Bruer 42 New Moon and Rolly Gipulan’s Yamaha 36 Punta de Uian. They will be joined by an all-Japanese Team on X-99 Fast Exit, led by Seiji Kawakami, an all-Taiwanese Team on Beneteau First 31.7, Selma, headed by Chang Kavalan, together with David McKenna’s Sun Odyssey 42 Raparee XXX and Rainer Blum’s Celestial 49 China Rose.

“The number and quality of racing participants so far are and the toughest ever assembled. It’s going to be a very interesting, exciting and dramatic sailing competition,” said Jun Avecilla, chairman of the PCR Organizing Committee. “The ideal sailing conditions that Subic is known for promise a great race. It’s anybody’s race.”

Some 300 topnotch sailors and yachting enthusiasts from all over the world are expected to participate in this highly anticipated sports tourism event in the country.

The President’s Cup Regatta is organized by the Manila Yacht Club and jointly hosted by The Lighthouse Marina Resort and the Subic Bay Yacht Club in conjunction with the SBMA.