Wide-open battle looms in Pres Cup regatta

BORACAY — With four former winners on the start list, the 2007 President’s Cup Regatta could be an exciting battle among Asia’s topnotch yachts which are also vying for the inaugural e-Standard Insurance Boracay Series championship.

Reigning champion Centennial and past titlist Mandrake, Hi-Fidelity and Karakoa banner the field which were to start their in-shore races around Boracay and the Tablas strait yesterday afternoon.

Up for grabs in the opener of the four-day President’s Cup was the American Express Race. The Oakley race is set today, the Smart Infinity race tomorrow and the final outing to determine the overall winner Saturday.

Points accumulated in the Manila-Boracay off-shore race and the President’s Cup in-shore events, meanwhile, will be the basis for the inaugural e-Standard Insurance Boracay Series championship.

"The President’s Cup Regatta (PCR) is the premier sailing race in the Philippines. This year’s event has become more prestigious with the combination of the PCR and the Manila-Boracay race," said Regatta co-chairman Jun Avecilla.

Irresistible has gained headway in the battle for the Boracay Series championship by winning the overall championship in the Manila-Boracay race.

However, a wide-open battle could be in the offing in the President’s Cup with 23 boats left in contention.

Vivaldi, second placer in the Manila-Boracay race, is among boats not entered in the President’s Cup. Apparently, Claudio Altura’s J 35 is no longer in good condition for the championship.

Frank Pong’s Jelik, Sam Chan’s Freefire, Neil Pryde’s Hi-Fidelity, George Kinmonth’s Mandrake, Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa, Ernesto Echauz’s Centennial, Adam Ng’s Hummingbird, Paul Bankowski’s Jaywalker and Ray Roberts’ Quantum Racing slug it out in the racing division.

Harry Taylor’s Irresistible, Jeffrey McClelan’s Ho Ho Ho, Jonathan Mahony’s Happy Endings, Allan Burrell’s Sandoway and Rags, Martin Tanco’s Challenge, Avecilla’s Selma Star, Jose Aranaz’ Solviento, Richard Morris’ Salina, Arvin Simtoco’s Fast Exit and Joser Hsieh’s Selma compete in IRC Racing Cruiser.

Fast Exit, Sweet Pea and China Rose are the only boats entered in PY Cruising.

This is the 15th staging of the President’s Cup topped by Karakoa in 2003, by Hi-Fidelity in 2004, Mandrake in 2005 and Centennial in 2006.