President’s Cup Regatta set Feb. 19-24

The Manila Yacht Club announced recently the staging of the President’s Cup Regatta 2001, one of Asia’s top sailing regattas, now on its ninth year.

Set Feb. 19 to 24, the time of the year that traditionally provides the best wind conditions, the event is expected to attract sailors returning to Hong Kong from the southern Asian circuit races in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Departing from tradition, the regatta will start at the Manila Yacht Club with the yachts racing out of Manila Bay, turn south to the beautiful Hamilo Coge, then to Punta Fuego, Maya Maya, and Fortune Island in the Nasugbu Bay area where the sailors compete in seven races ranging from the 40-mile downwind run out of Manila Bay, followed by shorter windward, leeward, and island courses, finishing with a 20-mile upwind race back to the middle of Manila Bay.

For the first time too, the regatta, which is fully supported by the Peninsula de Punta Fuego and the Maya Maya Yacht Club where the yachts will be moored outside of Manila Bay, will have use of the newly-installed pontoons at the Manila Yacht Club.

In addition to the large yachting events, the regatta will feature races for Hobie 16’6 and for the first time, will include the class of topper dinghies. These side events will be held at Punta Fuego and sponsored by the Taal Lake Yacht Club which is providing the Hobie 16’s and the toppers.

A fun event of the regatta will have the yacht classes for sailors over 50 years old and over 95 kilograms, as well as various multinational challenge events.