Boracay Island hosts Philippine leg of the 2002 ADECCO-Asian Windsurfing tour

Hong Kong-based Proteus Sports, organizer of the Adecco-Asian Windsurfing Tour (AWT) has confirmedBoracay Island as the venue for the 4th leg of the region’s most dynamicsporting event.

The AWT is a series of windsurfing events held throughout Asia that include the countries of Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saipan.

Scheduled on January 21 to 26 2002 and dubbed as the Boracay International

Funboard Cup, the event expects over 60 representatives from as many as eight different countries to compete in the six-day event which is the Philippines’ longest-running annual international sporting event now on its 14th year.

Proteus Sports will bring its own British television crew to film a 30-minute special devoted to the Philippine leg that is broadcast to over 150 million households worldwide through ESPN Sports, Star Sports, and BBC World.

According to Andrew Owen of Proteus Sports, "Boracay is the most popular leg and the best venue of the AWT. The waters of Bulabog Beach is absolutely crystal clear, the beaches are gleaming white and lined with palm trees, the sea and air temperatures are perfect and the backdrop of rocky headlands and surrounding islands is idyllic. The racing site, which is on the eastern side of the island, is a two-km stretch of undeveloped beach, with a fringing reef about 0.5km off shore, and consistent 12-20 knot on-shore

winds. For sheer fun and entertainment, this event is off the scale."

"For three consecutive years, we are proud that the Boracay International Funboard Cup has again become a leg of the AWT," says Nenette Graf, owner of Green Yard Funboard and Neilpryde Test Center and a founder of the Boracay Funboard Cup which started as a local island competition in 1989.

"The event has the full support of the Boracay community and gives Boracay and the Philippines tremendous positive international publicity."

In September 2000, the organizers of the Boracay International Funboard Cup achieved recognition from the Western Visayas Department of Tourism by winning the Regional Director's Award for its outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of the tourism industry in Western Visayas, a contribution of significant impact and which has brought about long term positive benefits to the industry. In support of the event, the Philippine Department of Tourism will be hosting the Awards Night for the participants and guests of the Cup.

The Boracay International Funboard Cup offers something for everyone – from weekend blasters to hotshot experts. Although the standards of racing are high, the atmosphere is never intimidating, and sailors of all abilities are welcomed. The event is a superb blend of competitiveness and fun. There are four competition disciplines scheduled for the six-day event. The Slalom Race is a fast-paced downwind race where the participants negotiate five gybing marks. Hongkong-based Neilpryde Sails is sending over guest race director Klaus Michel from Germany to ensure high racing standards for the event.

Robert Houston, editor-in-chief of Hongkong-based Action Asia Magazine has confirmed to run the Action Asia Windsurfing Speed Trials, a 200-meter timed speed event that awards the title of Fastest Man and Woman. A radar gun, much like that used by the police, will be positioned on a water platform. Participants go through a speed course as their fastest speeds are checked by the laser gun. The Action Asia Speed Trials Awards is scheduled on Jan 25 at Cocomangas during the Foster’s Beer Party.

In line with their new slogan "You never forget your first F...", Foster Beer is sponsoring the Forward Loop event and is putting up a $200 prize money for the winner of this discipline. The Forward Loop is an exciting maneuver which requires the competitor to do a full 360 barrel-roll in strong winds by Bulabog’s famous reef break.

US-based surfwear sponsor Maui & Sons will be launching its ladies surfwear under the Maui Girl banner. Maui & Sons, through its manufacturer 20th Century Shirts, is also sponsoring top sailors to compete in the event. Filipino/American George Gesner, winner of the Action Asia Speed Trials 2001, will head the Maui & Sons Team.

Asian Spirit Airlines and Philippines Airlines are also supporting the Cup by giving discounted tickets to participants of the event as well as additional baggage allowance. Boracay resorts and establishments as well as the Boracay Foundation Inc. are also supporting the event.

Local media guests include Philstar.com and the ABS-CBN TV crew.

For more information on the event, check out the Cup website at www.windsurfingphilippines.com/bfc/.