Subic Bay sets summer sailing series

It will be a sizzling long hot summer at the Subic Bay Freeport as sailing enthusiasts set a series of sailing tournaments in its tranquil waters.

The sailing season kicks off on February 20-22 for the 210-nautical mile Subic to Boracay Regatta, one of the country’s longest and most challenging inter-island races.

This will be followed by the Great Zambales Yachting Challenge sails on March 13-14 from Subic Bay to the northern coast of Zambales passing through the idyllic Capones Island in San Antonio town.

The highlight of the sailing events is the inaugural of the Commodore’s Cup Regatta slated on April 6 at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC). Immediately preceded by the 565-nautical mile Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, the Cup will draw international sailors of grand prix keelboats.

The regatta is part of the Asian Yachting Circuit which goes around Asia-Pacific’s best sailing sites.

"It should be noted that in these events, the Philippines, Subic Bay in particular, is ranked as among the best sailing destinations for competition or leisure," said Jesus Avecilla Jr., skipper of the multi-awarded Team Selma Star/C! Calibre sailboat and a prime mover of sailing in Subic.

The 36-foot Selma Star/C! Calibre, the 2006 Beneteau cruiser racer yacht of The Lighthouse Marina Resort, won for three consecutive years top honors in the Borneo International Yachting Challenge which sailed in the Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. It also won in the maiden voyage of the Singapore Straits Regatta in 2006, as well as in the Manila-Boracay race in 2006 and 2008,

"Aside from these established races, Subic Bay sailing community holds special races to celebrate national holidays such as Independence Day, Ninoy Aquino Day and National Heroes’ Day, to name a few," he added.

Avecilla said that in addition to competitive racing, The Lighthouse Marina Resort offers sailing lessons and leisure cruises to make Subic Bay the country’s top sailing haven. malaya.com.ph