Bright prospects for local sailors in President's Cup

Buoyed by the recent victories of local sailors in two prestigious international sailing events, organizers of the President’s Cup Regatta 2001 set February next year are confident the cup will remain an interesting event in the country.

Veteran international campaigner Ray Ordoveza, winner of the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup in 1996 and the China Sea Race in 1994 and 1996, copped another major award by winning the 11th Raja Muda International Regatta from Port Klang to Langkawi in Malaysia, while a group of young Filipino sailors, skippered by Chip Winternitz ruled the King’s Cup regatta in Thailand.

Ordoveza, who beat 39 others in winning his second Raja Muda Cup aboard his sloop Karakoa, looms as one of the early favorites in the President’s Regatta 2001, which is sponsored by Maya Maya Yacht Club, the Peninsula de Punta Fuego and Taal Yacht Club with the Manila Yacht Club as the main event host.

Ordoveza, who is chairman of the organizing committee of the President’s Cup Regatta 2001, cited the recent successes of local sailors as additional positive developments for the sport of sailing in the country.

Set Feb. 19-24, the regatta will feature long races from the starting point at the Manila Yacht Club to Nasugbu Bay area in Batangas, and back, including shorter in-shore races with the participation of smaller toppers and Hobie cats.