AKLAN, Philippines – The Philippines made a big comeback behind Karakoa and defending champion Subic Centennial, which ruled separate races yesterday in the 17th President’s Cup Regatta in Boracay.
Karakoa, skippered by Ray Ordaveza, had a correced time of 1:55:22 in capturing the Smart Infinity Race 2 , a 12-nautical mile windward/leeward course, to take the overall lead for the championship. It was 23 seconds ahead of runner-up New Zealand’s HI-FI skippered by Neil Pryde (1:55:43). Hongkong’s Jelik of Frank Pong, which ruled the first day of the six-race event, ended third in 1:56:04.
The event is presented by Standard Insurance, Lexus Manila, Smart Infinity and supported by San Miguel Beer, Seair, Tanduay Rhum, Guerlain, Sea Wind Resort, Ermenegildo Zegna, Neil Pryde, Gatorade, Summit Water, Watercraft Ventures, with media partners Manila Bulletin, Asia Pacific Boating, Calibre, Asian Yachting.com, Calibre Billionaire, Lifestyle Asia and Fragrant Harbour.
Subic Centennial, skippered by Ernesto Echauz, also made a comeback, snaring the IRC Racing class crown in Lexus Race 3 with a time of 2:02:00. Karakoa was next in 2:02:08, while Ambushed, skippered by Andrew Taylor, came in third (2:02:50).
Another Filipino entry, Team Windshear Rudy Project of expat George Hackett, pulled a sweep of the IRC1 Cruising Class in both the Smart Infinity Race 2 and the Lexus Race 3.
It wrapped up the Smart Infinity Race 2 with a time of 1:21:07.