Karakoa, Subic Centennial score in President's Cup Regatta

AKLAN , Philippines – The Philippines made a big comeback behind Karakoa and defending champion Subic Centennial as they ruled separate races yesterday in the 17th President’s Cup Regatta in Boracay here.

Karakoa, skippered by Ray Ordaveza, has proven itself a consistent top finisher when it captured the Smart Infinity Race 2 of the event presented by Standard Insurance, Lexus Manila, Smart Inifinity 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.

Karakoa posted a corrected time of 1:55:22 in the 12-nautical mile wind/leeward course to win the IRC Racing Class just 23 seconds ahead of runner-up New Zealand’s HI-FI skippered by Neil Pryde that clocked 1:55:43.

With the win, Karakoa wrested the overall lead for the championship belt.

Hongkong’s Jelik of Frank Pong, that ruled the first day of the six-race event, ended third with 1:56:04.

Subic Centennial, skippered by Ernesto Echauz, bounced back to capture the IRC Racing class crown in Lexus Race 3 with a time of 2:02:00, turning back Karakoa by eight seconds after submitting a time of 2:02:08.

Ambushed, skippered by Andrew Taylor, came in third with 2:02:50.

Another Filipino entry, Team Windshear Rudy Project of expat George Hackett pulled a sweep of the IRCI 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 to turn back Paul Bankowski’s Jaywalker (1:24:43) and Allan Burrell’s Rags (1:24:51) and later repeat its feat in Lexus Race 3 clocking 1:24:02 to prevail anew against Jaywalker (1:26:52) and Rags (1:28:11).

Jell Man and his boat Saipin got back at first day winner Raparee XXX of David McKenna when it won the PY Performance Cruising Class. Saipin clocked 2:23:30, almost three minutes ahead of Raparee XXX, which timed 2:35.18. Freewheeler, skippered by David Wheeler, again wound up third with 2:36:07.

For details, visit the website www.manilayachtclub.org/www.standard-insurance/sailing or call Zest Asia at 8177316.