Commodore’s Cup sets sail at Subic

THE Subic Bay Freeport, Subic Bay Yacht Club and The Lighthouse Marina Resort will host the 3rd Commodore’s Cup Regatta this week.

According to SBYC Commodore Ricky Sandoval, this year’s Commodore’s Cup Regatta will be part of the Asian Yachting Circuit. The event is usually held in June but with the failure of the President’s Cup Organizers to hold their regatta this year, the Commodore’s Cup, organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing Club, was held earlier to fill the void.

Held under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association, the regatta is preceded by the 565-nautical mile Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, Asia’s blue-water racing Classic now on its 50th year.

Sandoval said the Cup will draw some 30 international sailors from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia and the Philippines.

Racing kicks off tomorrow with a Round the Bay Race for both IRC and PY classes.

Sailors’ yachtsmanship will be put to the test on April 8 and 10 with two windward-leeward races for IRC classes and a long race for PY classes, and a long race for all classes on April 9.

Sandoval said the event will also showcase Subic Bay and the Philippines as among the world’s top sailing destinations with its clear waters and fine sand beaches.

Representing Subic Bay in the four-day race is the multi-awarded SBYC-based Selma Star/C! Calibre of The Lighthouse Marina Resort. The 36-foot cruiser racer yacht emerged as the grand slam winner in the Borneo International Yachting Challenge from 2007-2009, and grand prize winner in the Singapore Straits Regatta in 2006 and the Manila-Boracay race in 2006 and 2008.

The Commodore’s Cup is supported by Standard Insurance, Smart Infinity, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and Future Trade International. malaya.com.ph