Hi Fidelity does it with hi precision

SUBIC – Hi Fidelity and Stella Minter Ellison bucked a strong challenge from defending champion Karakoa yesterday on the second day of the Smart Infinity-12th President’s Cup Regatta off the Subic Bay waters.

The Neil Pryde-skippered Hi Fidelity and the Fred Kinmonth-captained Stella Minter Ellison came off with a 1-2 finish at presstime and under the provisional results of the Open Racing Class.

The 7,500 kilogram Hi Fidelity reached the finishing buoy of the 10-nautical mile windward-leeward race off Kalaklan Point in two hours, 24 minutes and 40 seconds.

Stella Minter Ellison managed to catch up with Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa as it rounded the last leeward buoy and crossed the finish line behind Hi Fidelity in 2:25.45.

Karakoa, which was forced to drop the first race last Wednesday to undergo repairs for a broken rudder it sustained during the China Sea Race in Hong Kong, fell short in its chase of Hi Fidelity at the leeward mark. Ordoveza’s boat finished in 2:25.58.

A strong gust of westerly amihan winds suddenly got in the way of the crew’s attempt to quickly lower Karakoa’s spinnakers, allowing Kinmonth’s Sydney 48 to pick up the pace.

Paul Bankowski’s Jaywalker was fourth (2:27.17) while Judes Echauz’s Standard Insurance Centennial was fifth (2:28:52) in this weeklong regatta jointly organized by the Manila Yacht Club and the Subic Bay Yacht Club.

The regatta is sponsored by Smart Infinity. It is also supported by Absolute Distilled Water, Tanduay Rhum, Volvo, Manila Bulletin, Ralph’s Wine and Spirits and official radio station RJ 100 FM.

John Wardill’s Australian Maid prevailed over Ian Nicholson’s Intrigue of Stornoway to claim its second line honors in the IRC Ocean Cruising Class in 2:30.51. Martin Tanco’s Challenge is third.

Allan Burrell’s Rags held its own against David McKenna’s Rapparee II, Richard Morris’ Salina, George Hackett’s Jo de Ros and Doni Altura’s Toyota Shaw-sponsored Vivaldi to stay in front of the IRC Cruiser Racer Class. Burrell’s boat clocked 1:40.05.

Jun Avecilla’s Selma, which was retired with Ed Limon Lhayas in their first race due to navigational errors, redeemed themselves with another 1-2 finish in the PY Cruising Class. Stan Krug’s Irresistible, which won line honors in Race 1 because of this, made it to third.