Belarussian, Chinese GMs share lead in PH chess tilt

Sixth seed Grand Master Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus downed woman GM Lei Tingjie of China in 60 moves of a Benoni last Friday to snatch a share of the lead after five rounds in the Philippine International Chess Championship at the Peninsular Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.

Kovalev is now tied with China's GM Wang Hao.

(left to right) GM Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus; GM Lei Tingjie and GM Wang Hao of China

Wang, owner of a tournament-best 2678 FIDE rating, demolished Armenian GM Tingran Kontajian in just 67 moves of super-sharp Sicilian showdown, has four points in the tournament.

The 13th seed Lei had shocked No. 4 GM Levan Pentsulaia of Georgia in the fourth round to zoom to the top spot. However, with her loss to Kovalev, she is now tied for third place along with Russian GMs Boris Savchenko and Anton Demchenko, Georgian GM Merab Gagunashvili and Pentsulaia with 3.5 points apiece.

Savchenko and Demchenko fought to a 55-move draw of a Ruy Lopez-Steinitz Defense; Gagunashvili agreed to a quick 14-move standoff with Georgian GM Mikheil Mchedlishvili of a Queen's Pawn Game; and Pentsulaia smashed Filipino International Master Oliver Dimakiling 52 moves of a Zukefort Opening.

Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and IMs Haridas Pascua and Paulo Bersamina sustained the Philippine's campaign by drawing their fifth round games to stay just a full point behind the leaders in the nine-round event.

(left to right) GM John Paul Gomez, IM Haridas Pascua and IM Paulo Bersemina of the Philippines

Gomez and Pascua split the point in 30 moves of a Trompovsky Attack while Bersamina halved the point with IM Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi of India 24 moves of a King's Indian duel.

GM Joey Anontio and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia also drew 31 moves of a Slav to stay in a group with 2.5 points each in the meet.  (ABS-CBN Sports)

http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/11/16/belarussian-chinese-gms-share-lead-in-ph-chess-tilt

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Int'l chess tourney opens in Subic Bay, Torre leads PH team

The Philippine International Chess Championship reels off today at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, Zambales.

The nine-round Swiss System tournament has drawn the participation of 10 foreign grandmasters led by Wang Hao (2678) of China.

PH Grandmaster Eugene Torre

The other prominent foreigners entered in the event are GM Anton Demchenko (2629) of Russia, GM Boris Savchenko (2613) of Russia, GM Mikheil Mchedlishvili (2611) of Georgia, GM Levan Pantsulaia (2607) of Georgia, GM Kovalev Vladislav (2603) of Belarus, GM Merab Gagunashvili (2588) of Georgia, GM Kirill Stupak (2562) of Belarus, GM Tigran Kotanjyan (2473) of Armenia, GM Sriram Jha (2416) of India, International Master Tran Tuan Minh (2478) of Vietnam, IM Abhimanyu Puranik (2476) of India, FIDE Master Tran Minh Thang (2399) of Vietnam, Harshit Harnish Raja (2399) of India and FM Lee Qing Aun (2227) of Singapore.

Also seeing action are Woman Grandmaster Lei Tingjie of China, WGM S.Vijayalakshmi of India and WIM Sarvinoz Kurbonboeva of Uzbekistan.

Grandmaster Eugene Torre leads the local contingent which includes GM Mark Paragua, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Joey Antonio, GM Darwin Laylo, IM Paulo Bersamina, IM Oliver Dimakiling, IM Haridas Pascua, IM Jerad Docena, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia and International Master Ricardo De Guzman and WGM Janelle Mae Frayna.

The opening ceremony will be graced by Rep. Prospero “Butch” A. Pichay, Jr., chairman and president of National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), secretary-general Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, vice-president Ruel V. Canobas and former Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares.

Another international event, also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is set Dec. 12-19 at the same venue.

http://tempo.com.ph/2016/12/06/torre-leads-charge-in-ph-intl-tourney/

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Betten, Watkinson dominate Regent 5150 in Subic Bay

Australian Sam Betten retained the men’s pro crown while Kiwi Amelia Watkinson reigned in the women’s side as they scored wire-to-wire triumphs in the 2016 Regent 5150 Triathlon on a hot and humid Sunday in Subic.

Betten tackled the challenging 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run course in two hours, six minutes and 55 seconds to capture the coveted title for the second straight year with plenty to spare.

His compatriot, Mitch Robins, finished a far second with 2:21:27, his bid hurt by two flat tire mishaps in the bike leg, while Slovak Michal Bucek took third place in the local version of the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series with his 2:24:38 effort.

Watkinson checked in at 2:10:59 – just a few minutes after Betten – to run away with the women’s tiara, beating Aussies Michelle Duffield (2:22:03) and Dimity-Lee Duke (2:24:38).

Paul Jumamil topped the Filipino male elite category with 2:19:08 – the third best time across all divisions. August Benedicto crossed the finish line six seconds later to settle for second while Banjo Norte wound up No. 3 with 2:20:28. Maria Danielle Infantado (2:50:50) beat Amale Jopson (3:08:24) for the Filipino female elite crown.

“It’s tough to win any race and it’s even tougher to win it twice in a row so this is really very special,” said Betten after accomplishing his mission in the event produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. in partnership with Regent Foods, the country’s leading snack manufacturing company.

The 28-year-old Betten came out of the waters at Acea Beach first and didn’t relinquish control all the way to the ride along the undulating and hot roads of Subic Bay and the finish at Remy Field.

Robins, who was touted to contend, fell behind as he had to fix a flat front tire not once but twice. “It’s a disaster but it happens,” he said.

Thailand-based Kiwi Watkinson maintained a blistering pace that left her two rivals gasping.

“I got my own space straight out of the gun, swam consistently and picked it up on the way home. I had a fast transition out on the bike and eased into it, making sure I kept the pace quite even,” she said.

PHOTOS:

[1] Australian triathlete Sam Betten negotiates the runway of the Subic Bay International Airport as he defends his 2015 men’s title during the 5150 triathlon held Sunday morning (June 05) at Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Australian triathlete Sam Betten cools himself after crossing the finish line at the Remy Field during the 5150 triathlon held Sunday morning (June 05) at Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Aussie triathlete Sam Betten flashes the No. 1 sign as he celebrates after crossing the finish line at the Remy Field during the 5150 triathlon held Sunday morning (June 05) at Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.manilatimes.net/betten-watkinson-dominate-regent-5150/266091/

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Subic Freeport hosts 2016 Regent 5i50

AUSTRALIAN Sam Betten banners a crack field racing for top honors in the 2016 Regent 5150 Triathlon, the local version of the world’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series, set on June 5 in Subic.

The 6-foot-4 Betten sets out to retain the male pro crown against compatriots Mitch Robins, winner of the first Safeguard 5150, and Dan Brown and Slovakia’s Michal Bucek in the race organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. in partnership with the country’s leading snack manufacturing company, Regent Foods.

Australia’s 2015 runner-up Dimity-Lee Duke tries to strike gold this time as she battles Kiwi Amelia Rose Watkinson and Aussie Michelle Duffield for the female pro crown, which is now an open race after the retirement of champ Belinda Granger from pro racing.

Competitors in the Filipino elite male and female divisions and age-groupers also showcase their competitive spirit and skills in the 1.5K open-water swim at the Acea Beach, 40K bike and 10K run along the undulating and hot roads of Subic Bay.

The Regent 5150 Triathlon is considered as the answer to triathletes who love to do short-distance but challenging races in a world-class production setup.

Spicing up this year’s race is the inaugural Sunrise Sprint run. Also known as S2, the race features a 750m open-water swim, 20km bike ride and a 5km run for beginners.

“It is perfect for beginners wanting to immerse themselves into the sport of triathlon for the first time, for triathlon enthusiasts who wants to race without having to worry about long periods of training or for the tri warrior who has been off the circuit and is raring to make a comeback,” said Sunrise president Wilfred Uytengsu.

PHOTO:
The Regent 5150 PRO Race will feature Sam Betten defending his title, as well as Will Dimity competing for this year's Female PRO Champion title. (photo from Regent 5i50 Facebook page)

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Subic Freeport ranked #6 among world’s top triathlons

The Subic Bay Freeport, which regularly hosts various international sports competitions, has again received high ratings as a venue for some of the top triathlon events in the world.

According to Princess Galura, general manager of Sunrise Events, Inc., an affiliate of the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), Subic Bay earned the superior ranking of 85.80% in the 2015 Ironman 70.3 APAC Overall Satisfaction Scores.

Triathletes at the starting line during the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 held recently in Subic Bay 

Subic served as the venue for the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 race organized by Sunrise Events last year.

“Survey results for the 2015 event showed that our race ranked 85.80%, which is just below global standards by .09%,” Galura said in a letter to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia.

“We are also above Asia-Pacific standards, as they only ranked 83.95%,” Galura added, further thanking Garcia for the SBMA support during the event.

The 2015 Ironman 70.3 APAC Overall Satisfaction Scores placed Subic at number six among the best triathlon sites in the Asia Pacific Championship series.

Topping the list is Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with a satisfaction rating of 90.20%, followed by Western Sydney and Korea tying for the second place at 89%; Mandurah in Western Australia, third at 88.30%; Auckland, New Zealand, fourth at 88%; and Busselton, Western Australia, fifth at 85.99%.

Subic Bay and Cairns in Queensland, Australia tied for sixth place with a rating of 85.80%—less than a point short of the global average of 85.89%.

Chairman Garcia said that the ranking “clearly shows that Subic is among the world’s best in terms of facilities and natural environment that is ideal to triathlon competition.”

“We have been aggressively promoting Subic as a sports hub and we’re surely gaining ground. These events organized by Sunrise significantly help in putting Subic on the sports map,” Garcia added.

Sunrise Events, which began organizing races after being awarded a contract by the WTC in 2008, runs two major races in the Philippines — the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon and the 5i50 Triathlon. The firm has also initiated the Alaska Ironkids Aquathlon with Subic as one of the venues.
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Galura likewise said that they will launch the short-distance race series Sunrise Sprint at Subic Bay Freeport on June 5, to coincide with the opening of the Regent 5i50 Triathlon.

The Sunrise Sprint will feature a 750-meter swim event and a 20-kilometer bike race to be topped by a
five-kilometer run. “The distance is targeted for beginners, come-backing athletes, and those who lack training,” Galura added.

Garcia said the incoming events “will further cement Subic’s reputation as the country’s triathlon capital,” recalling that Subic has been cited as an outstanding triathlon venue by the internationally-circulated sports magazine TriMag Asia, after covering two big triathlon events here in 2012.

Garcia said the magazine particularly noted Subic’s “interesting course and friendly atmosphere,” and added that the Freeport “is increasingly getting a reputation for top-notch races.”

The SBMA official also said that the international sports events here have been drawing thousands of foreign and local racers and their teams, thus helping boost the tourism industry in Subic Bay. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Mangrobang leads 1-2 Pinay finish in Subic International Triathlon

Kim Mangrobang led an impressive 1-2 finish by the Filipino bets in the women’s division of the Open Elite while the Aussie bets dominated the men’s side of the 23rd NTT-ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) yesterday.

Mangrobang, the country’s No. 2 triathlete who had to cut short her high performance training in Portugal due to her father’s death last week, showed the gains she made by besting the field at Remy Field in two hours, 10 minutes, 40 seconds.

Kim Manrobang of the Philippines | SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia poses with the winners in the Open Elite Women's division

(photos c/o: https://www.facebook.com/ITUSubit/ and https://www.facebook.com/AniDeLeonBrown/)

She made her move in the final 10K run leg after keeping pace with teammates Fil-Am Kim Kilgroe and SEAG gold medalist Claire Adorna in the 1.5K swim and 40K bike legs.

“I had no plans of joining but my coach told me just to race since I was already here. I just wanted to finish but when we got out in the run leg, I felt I could take it all the way to the finish,” said the 24-year-old Mangrobang after the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and held in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and presented by the SBMA Tourism Department with support from the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission.

Two weeks from now, Mangrobang who also ruled SuBIT’s Under-23 division two years ago, will be in Japan for the Asian Triathlon Championship, eyeing a top five finish to earn ITU points in her quest to make it to the 2020 Olympic Games.

Kilgroe, who lives in California but traces her mother’s roots in Zambales, conceded to Mangrobang in the run leg.

“I tried to catch up in the run leg but she was too strong. But I’m happy with my performance as I was expecting a podium finish this time from my 16th place last year, I prepared more seriously this time, “ said Kilgroe, who clocked 2:12.29.

Hong Kong’s Kate Rutherford timed 2:13.15 for third followed by injured Adorna in 2:19.59.

“I was frustrated because my foot injury is still bothering me, particularly in the bike, it was painful and was still hurting even after the race,” said Adorna, a five-time UAAP Most Outstanding Athlete.

Ting Ting Chang from Taipei came in fifth in 2:20.36.

Aussie Joel Tobin White, running his second SuBIT race, also turned in an impressive solo finish in 1:56.09 while Greek James Chronis, who used to run for Australia until he opted to campaign for his native country two years ago, placed second in 1:56.45 while another Aussie, James Thorp, placed third in 1:56.58.

Joel Tobin White of Australia | SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia poses with the winners in the Open Elite Men's division

(photos c/o https://www.facebook.com/ITUSubit/ and https://www.facebook.com/jamesthorptriathlete/?fref=photo)

Other backers of the event were Century Tuna, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Asian Center for Insulation, Subic Holiday Villas, ACEA Subic Bay, Enervon, Biker’s Cafe, The Lighthouse Marina Resort and media partners Solar Sports, The Philippine STAR, Kikay Runner and PinoyFitness.com.

Tobin White, ranked sixth back home, pulled away from closest pursuer Chronis after the first lap of the run leg.

“I put in a surge while he slowed down, I knew I could make it if I did well in the swim leg, and I did, the heat also did not bother me at all,” said the 23 year old professional triathlete who credited his coach Danielle Stefano at the Victorian Institute of Sport back in Melbourne.

Best placed among the male Filipino triathletes was Olongapo native John Chicano who finished eighth in 2:01.42.

“I gave chase in the bike leg but the foreign competiton was just too strong. It’s all right, because I met my target here,” Chicano said.

In the men’s U-23, Singaporean Sumedha Um Kian Tat went home with the title, clocking 2:20.54, followed by Macau entries Chak Long Un (2:21.37) and Chi Meng Ieong (2:26.53).

Even as he admitted that the field was not as strong as it used to be because of another World Cup race in China on the same day, TRAP president Tom Carrasco, said “it was a good opportunity for our triathletes particularly Mangrobang to show what they are capable of doing.”

“We are on track with our preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games where we hope to qualify for the first time,” he said. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/04/18/1574130/mangrobang-leads-1-2-pinay-finish-subic-international-triathlon

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HK bets deliver on 1st day of the NTT-ASTC Subic Bay Int'l Traithlon

THE highly-touted HongKong triathlon team delivered as expected on Day 1 of the 23rd NTT-ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon ( SuBIT ), sweeping the top spots yesterday in both divisions of the junior elite sprint competition that started and ended at the ACEA Beach inside the sprawling Subic Freeport.

So dominating were in the HK triathletes that in the men's junior elite, Oscar Louise Coggins, Michael Lam, and ShingHim Wong , James Tan, and Tsz To Wong took the top 5 places with Coggins leading practically from start to finish en route to a solo finish in 58: 28, six seconds ahead of Lam. Wong meanwhile negotiated the 750m. swim-10K bike- 5K run sprint distance race in 59 : 12, followed by Tan, 1:01.24 and Wong, 1 : 00. 31.

The Hong Kong Triathlon National Team
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/Hong-Kong-Triathlon-National-Team-268717043281379/

“ It got pretty hot in the run leg but I handled it pretty well, I was really hoping for a top 3 finish, “ said Coggins, 18, who only placed third in the same event last year.

Cebu’s Andrew Remolino, 16, from Talisay, winner of the first two legs of the TRAP NAGT Series in Subic and Cebu , was the best placed Filipino triathlete in sixth place in the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and presented by the SBMA Tourism Department with support from the Philippine Olympic Committee ( POC ) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“Naiwan ako sa bike ", said a disappointed Remolino after the race, he is a member of the national developmental team of TRAP .

In the women's side of the event, supported by Century Tuna, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Asian Center for Insulation, Subic Holiday Villas, ACEA Subic Bay, Biker's Cafe, Blackbeard's Seafood Island, the Lighthouse Marina Resort, and Enervon, HK's Bailee Brional Brown was a run-away winner in 1:09.36 as she completely dominated her opponents, “the heat was insane but I managed to block it from my mind,” said Brown, 16, a student at the Hong Kong International School.

She also finished first in last year's mini-sprint distance in the same event. Singapore's Jeremia Christy Suriadi was a distant second in 1:12 : 49 while in third place was top seed Zoe Natasha Bowden of Malaysia who clocked 1:13:51.

“ I believe the support we get from the government and the fact that we have around 30 active triathlon clubs in Hong Kong help us a lot,” said Fenalla Ng, president of the Hong Kong Triathlon Association who accompanied her wards to Subic, she is a former swimmer and rower who has competed in 3 Olympic Games and 5 Asian Games.

On his part, TRAP President and current POC Chairman Tom Carrasco said he really expected Hong Kong to dominate but remained optimistic of the development of his young triathletes, “ we are already putting in place our long -term preparation for the 2018 Youth Olympics where we hope to qualify 3 girls and 3 boys,” he explained.

Filipina Vicky Deldio, an Olympic Youth Games veteran, ran her personal best time but fell short by nine seconds.

http://www.journal.com.ph/sports/other-sports/hk-bets-deliver-in-subic

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World-ranked triathletes in Subic for SuBIT 2016

Several world-ranked triathletes led by former World Junior Champion and former ITU number one Felicity Abram and Melinda Vernon of Australia will test their mettle in the elite competition (2nd day) of the two-day NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon 2016 which will commence on April 16 at the ACEA Subic Bay.

The elite competition (Standard Distance 1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) offers ITU qualifying points for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic triathlon event and has already attracted the participation of Mohamad Alsabbagh (Syria), James Chronis (Greece), Chris George (Australia), Shen-Yen Hsieh (Chinese Taipei), Rikigoro Shinozuka (Malaysia), Jiayu Tan (Singapore), James Thorp (Australia), Joel Tobin White (Australia), Chun Yin Tse (Hong Kong), Yuki Umeda (Japan) and national triathletes John Chicano, Mark Hosana, Jonard Saim and Deo Timbol.

In the distaff side, 2015 SEA Games gold medalist Claire Adorna and teammate Kim Kilgroe will lead the Philippines in facing off with Chi Wen Chang (Chinese Taipei), Shuwen Chang (Singapore), Ting-Ting Chang (Chinese Taipei), Irene See Win Chiong (Malaysia) and Kate Rutherford (Hong Kong).

Organized by TRAP in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon 2016 is presented by SBMA Tourism Department. (Tempo)

Five-in-one Subic international triathlon

The two-day NTT ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon 2016 is a five-in-one affair comprising a leg of the Asia Cup Series, National Age-Group Championships, Inter-Club Competition, national tryouts and Age Group Select Men, a new feature in the local triathlon scene.

On tap on the first day are sprint distance for Elite Junior, Age-Group Junior and Age-Group Adult and mini sprint distance for men and women. All races will start and finish at ACEA Subic Bay.

Elite Open, Elite U23, age groupers and club members see action over the standard distance (1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run) on April 17 from 5:30 a.m. also with the finish line located at Remy Field.

Tom Carrasco, Triathlon Association of the Philippines president, said, “SuBIT is the first beneficiary of the Nippon Telephone and Telecommunications sponsorship of the Asia Cup Series under the patronage of the Asian Triathlon Confederation and sanction of the International Triathlon Union.”

Organized by TRAP in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), SuBIT is presented by SBMA Tourism Department and supported by Century Tuna, Standard Insurance, Gatorade, Asian Center for Insulation, Subic Holiday Villas, ACEA Subic Bay, Biker’s Café, Blackbeard’s Seafood Island, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Enervon Active, AH Cabgel, AH Enervon HP, Athena, Pure & Feminine Wash, RaceDay, SBR.ph, Multisport, Kikay Runner and Pinoy Fitness.com.

Top finishers in the elite division of the Asia Cup 2016 series earn ITU points for Asian and world rankings and qualification to major international competitions.

TRAP sponsors the standard distance age-group men and women champions’ stints in an Asia Cup 2016 Series event.

Age groups to be contested include 18-24 years, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50 and over for women and 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and 60 and over for men.

Excellent and promising Junior, U23 and Elite Open performers have a shot at a slot in the national pool. (The Philippine Star)

http://sports.tempo.com.ph/2016/04/04/sports/world-ranked-triathletes-in-subic/

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/28/1566898/five-one-subic-internationall-triathlon-set-april-16

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Commodores’ Cup kicks off in Subic Bay, the Philippine home of sailing

Coming off the back of a bruising Rolex China Sea Race, Subic Sailing have invited competitors to join in the action at the Commodore's Cup this week. Local racing teams preformed with distinction at the Subic to Boracay Race and Cup earlier this month and enjoy pitting their skills against the visiting teams.

Subic Bay is quickly becoming known as the Home of Sailing in the Philippines, as two keelboat classes swing into action, in conjunction with the Philippine Sailing Association, Streaker and Optimist classes, begin their assault for individual glory, sharing the same waters as the main bout.

The local yachts are led by Ernesto Echauz's TP 52 Standard Insurance Centennial III, that won Racing Class 1 in Boracay and Martin Tanco's Sydney 46 Centennial II, won two races on the final day in Boracay, to snatch 2nd place in Racing Class 2. The low entry list, sees them bundled together in Racing Class 1.

The formidable line up of visiting teams are all from Hong Kong. Geoff Hill's Smith 72 Custom Antipodes leads the charge in sheer size, recent victories on the Rolex China Sea Race, Boracay Cup and present leader on the AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP), makes Steve Manning and Anthony Root's Ker 42 Black Baza, hands on favourite, if the conditions suit them.

The Commodore's Cup is honoured to be the 10th regatta on the AsianYachting Grand Prix (AYGP) and an excellent chance for Philippine and Hong Kong skippers to improve their ranking, in the race for the 2015-16 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

The 9th Commodore’s Cup is organized by Subic Sailing and Philippine Sailing Association, in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures and The Boatyard Inn

The regatta is made possible by the supported of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board, Department of Tourism, Philippines Coast Guard and 1Subicbay. (AY MultiMedia)

PHOTO:
The Centennial III (subicsailing.com)

http://asianyachting.com/news/CC16/Commodores_Cup_2016_AY_Pre-Regatta_Report.htm?utm_source=SubicSailing&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=CCR2016&utm_content=pre-race-report

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Rolex China Sea Race 2016: Black Baza takes IRC Overall

Anthony Root and Steve Manning's Ker42 Black Baza triumphs in the grueling 565 nautical mile race to Subic Bay at the 2016 Rolex China Sea Race, lifting the trophy for corrected time on IRC handicap, with Alive posting a second overall to go with her record of breaking Line Honours effort.

William Liu’s A40RC Seawolf has just finished and sits in 3rd Overall as well as 1st in IRC Racer 2, which means that their stated aim to “do better than last time (2014)” has well and truly been achieved.

Black Baza finished in the early hours of Saturday morning after just over 60 hours of racing, with crew member Wade Morgan enthusing about the previous 24 hours of racing, saying “we were coming in hot all the way, which was unexpected … we probably played the middle a little bit to the south and then we had good breeze so we managed to come straight in to the coast without having to do too much fancy work.”

Asked if the crew were happy if they had caught Alive on corrected time, Jono Rankine confirmed “Absolutely! We weren’t expecting that at all..” and adding that the high point of the race for the crew was surfing in to the coast at 20kts.

Jono Mahony of Zanzibar also enjoyed sailing down the Luzon coast at 18-20kts, noting that “we finished 8 hours quicker than when we won (IRC Overall) in 2012 even though we hit a sticky patch at the finish which allowed EFG Mandrake to sneak past us – but they do that all the time!”

All the finishers have noted their surprise at the excellent conditions once on open water, although Li Li revealed that Swan 82 UBOX considered retiring 180nm into the race as they had suffered damage to the head of the mainsail which seemed unfixable.

“The crew managed to come up with a solution …. to lash the head and stay in the race, although it limited the load they could put on it. The first night a problem with the foot of the number one cost a lot of time in really tough weather. It was a tough first day, half of the crew were sea sick and had been working hard on the boat leading into the race, so possibly had not had enough sleep.

On the positive side, UBOX finished the race and all the crew have taken it as a positive experience, as this race is practice for the team. The ultimate goal is the Rolex Sydney Hobart and, being realistic, we still have a lot of prep to do. It’s good and although we talk about all this damage, it has been a very positive experience for everybody.” (http://bit.ly/1TcgTV5)

PHOTOS:
Clockwise from upper left: Ker42 Black Baza; EFG Bank Mandrake; UBOX; Zanzibar; Standard Insurance Centennial; FreeFire. (Rolex-Daniel Forster, Rolex China Sea Race FB)

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Off to Subic Bay: Centennial sets pace early in Rolex China Sea Race

HONG KONG – Thirty-three yachts, from small boats manned by couples to bigger catamarans navigated by as many as 22 sailed into the open seas yesterday in a misty, drizzling afternoon at the start of the 565 nautical mile Rolex China Sea Race to the imaginary finish line off the shores of Subic Bay.

The boats, 26 of them from Hong Kong and seven from other nationalities, including Filipino-owned Standard Insurance-Centennial, went to the Hong Kong Harbor at 12 noon to take their positions for the 1 p.m. starting gun, but the race was delayed several times as they waited for the winds.

When the winds finally blew outward, Standard Insurance-Centennial got the headstart, its decision to take the shoreline path giving it an initial lead of at least one kilometer heading to the open seas.

The race for line honors becomes anybody’s game, at least for the bigger yachts, as they head for the turbulent waters off Hong Kong. They were to navigate throughout the night and day on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

The race would be more technical and tactical as computer-equipped boats veer from the straight path from Hong Kong to Subic by heading to the upward wind several miles ahead to gather speed heading to the finish line.

The boats are expected to encounter rough sailing as they enter Philippine territory by Good Friday and Black Saturday but the bigger multi-hulls and catamarans manned by a maximum crew of 22 gunning for line honors are expected to gain the advantage and hit land ahead of the smaller ones by early Black Saturday morning.

The fastest regardless of the boat category wins the Rolex CSR line honors.

The smaller, lighter boats, with lighter masts and fewer crew members, will be gunning for top honors in the equally prestigious Rolex CSR handicap race category based on their corrected time.

Each boat is assigned a handicap based on its size and other factors, which will be used to determine the corrected time.

Jude Echauz, a former car rally driver who has been competing in the CSR for 20 years, is owner and skipper of Standard Insurance-Centennial, which won the 1998 Rolex CSR handicap race as Subic Centennial and the 2008 race under its new name as Standard Insurance-Centennial.

Echauz is again at the helm of the Standard Insurance-Centennial with a 17-man all-Filipino crew, majority of them members of the national team.

For over 10 years, the 52-footer has been the only Filipino entry in the Rolex CSR, which is traditionally dominated by entries from the Royal Hong Kong Club and its three other clubs in the former Crown Colony.

Foreign teams in this year’s race include those from Japan, Australia, Russia, China and Singapore.

A member club from China, which has two entries this year, had indicated that boat construction is going at a fast pace in the Mainland and would expect more than half of the entries of the Rolex China Sea Race in the future to come from China.

Executives from Rolex, which has been the sponsor of Asia’s longest sea race since 1972, will be on hand to meet the winners and participants of the race on Saturday and Sunday. (Gerry Carpio, The Philippine Star)

PHOTOS:
[1] Thirty-three yachts sail off into the open seas in a misty, drizzling afternoon at the start of the 565 nautical mile Rolex China Sea Race to Subic Bay.

[2] Philippine bet Standard Insurance Centennial, with Jun Echaus at the helm, ahead of the pack.

[3] A Lion Dance for good luck was performed at the pontoon of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club before the race began.

(all photos from the Rolex China Sea Race Facebook page)

http://www.philstar.com:8080/sports/2016/03/24/1566214/centennial-sets-pace-early-rolex-csr

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Alexander conquers Ironman 70.3, Borlain sisters rule in Ironkids

The Craig Alexander Show finally unfurled in the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Pilipinas race.

Determined to complete an unfinished business in the race that he agonizingly missed last year due to injury, five-time world titlist Alexander put his legendary skills on display and claimed the coveted men’s pro crown at the expense of younger rivals.

The 42 year-old Alexander unleashed a blistering windup that left pacesetter Patrick Lange in his wake, surging past the German at the 13-kilometer mark of the run and maintaining at least a 400-meter lead en route to topping the $15,000 world championships-qualifying race in 3:48:56.

Lange, who led most of the way, checked in nearly two seconds later at the finish line in front of the Subic Convention Center. Last year’s winner Tim Reed of Australia also fell under Alexander spell and settled for the bronze in 3:52:28.

It was a triumph that was one-year-in-the-making at the former US base for Alexander. The veteran Australian triathlete fondly called “Crowie” was supposed to make his debut in Subic in 2015 but a bad back forced him to pull out at the last minute.

“I was determined to put up a good performance to repay Fred (Uytengsu of organizer Sunrise Events, Inc.). He’s always inviting me to be in their events and when I finally came last year, I wasn’t able to make it on the starting line,” said Alexander. “Hopefully I made up for that today.”

Alexander trailed after the 1.9K swim and 90K bike phases but shifted to high gear in the culminating 21K run. (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

Borlain sisters pull off rare triathlon hat-trick in 2016 Alaska Ironkids

The Borlain Sisters accomplished a rare triathlon hat-trick as they swept their respective age categories in the 2016 Alaska Ironkids held at Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday.

Samantha Borlain, the eldest of the three, topped the 13-14 year-old girl’s category while her sister Tara finished first in the 11-12 age group, and youngest sister Franchezka, 8, was the fastest in the 6-8 age group.

Samantha and Tara even reportedly encountered problems with their bikes during the first transition of the 400-meter swim, 12 km bike and 3 km run course, but managed to make up for lost time in the bike and run stages.

The sisters, along with all first place finishers at Remy Field, were awarded with all-expense trips to Cebu to compete in Ironman Cebu this August.

Their father Ringo, a former competitive bodybuilder and current national team coach, was naturally pleased with the feat of his daughters who he personally trained. But he was quick to point out that he would have been happy regardless of their finish as long as his girls enjoyed the experience.

“Number one you have fun. Always you have to have fun. If it’s not fun let’s not do this,” he told SPIN.ph after the race.

That aspect was evident with the way they supported and cheered for each other during the entire race, until the last sister crossed the finish line.

“They help each other by pushing each other,” explained their mom Caroline.

“They have this inner desire. I don’t know where they got it… bata pa lang sila ganoon na,” added Ringo. (Rhoel V Fernandez, Spin.ph)

PHOTOS:

[1] Triathletes start the 1.9km swim phase of the Century Tuna 70.3 Subic Bay Pilipinas. (Jun Mendoza, PhilStar)

[2] Samantha, Tara and Franchezka celebrate at the podium. (Jaime Campos, Spin.ph)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/07/1560297/great-alexander-conquers-ironman-70.3

http://www.spin.ph/triathlon/active-lifestyle/borlain-sisters-are-big-winners-in-2016-alaska-ironkids-in-subic-

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Subic to Boracay Race 2016: Jelik steals thunder from Centennial III

Top contender Jelik, skippered by Hongkong’s Frank Pong, drew first blood as the foreign entries dominated the 7th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race, defeating last year’s champion TP 52 Davidson Centennial III of Judes Echauz.

Reichel/Pugh 75 Jelik, last year’s runner-up, ruled the IRC Racing Class with a corrected time of 28 hours, 19 minutes and 46 seconds in the 210-nautical mile of the event presented by PLDT SME Nation, Tanduay Rum, Cebu Pacific, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures Inc. and Seawind Hotel Boracay.

Defending champion Centennial III came in second in 30:29:37 while Smith 72-Custom Antipodes steered by Geoff Hill, took third place in 30:40:30.

The big start thus gave Jelik a solid jump-off in the combined series of the four-day Boracay Cup Regatta that started Tuesday morning from this pristine beach resort to Carabao Island off Romblon and back.

Pong, the 2013 Asian Yatching Grand Prix Skipper of the Year and 1997 President’s Cup Champion, outclassed 15 other elite sailors from Asian countries, Australia, Germany and China, including record holder Syd Fisher’s Dubios 90 Ragamuffin 90 manned by David Witt. (Tribune Wires)

PHOTO:
The 75-foot boat Jelik.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/jelik-steals-thunder-from-centennial-iii

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Ragamuffin sets pace in Subic-Boracay race

Syd Fisher’s Dubois 90 Ragamuffin, skippered by David Witt, set the pace in the seventh Standard Insurance Subic Bay-Boracay Regatta Race in Aklan yesterday.

Taking only 14 hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds on the 220 nautical mile race, Ragamuffin bested the previous record set by Hong Kong magnate Frank Pong’s Custom Dibley 75 Jelik in 2013.

With its crew of 14, Ragamuffin led the fleet out of Subic Bay, where they dropped the spinnakers, turned left and enjoyed fast racing condition down through the Verde Island Passage.

All the regular competitors have actually recorded their fastest race times to Boracay, according to Ricky Sandoval, chairman of the organizing committee.

The seventh edition of the annual event drew boats representing Singapore, China, Germany, Malaysia, China, Australia and the Philippines with the overall winners in three class of the combined Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta series receiving the hand-crafted solid brass trophy replicas by Fernando Cacnio, a multi-awarded Filipino visual artist.

The twin regatta races are backed by Sperry Topsider, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Cebu Pacific, PLDT-SMT Nation, Tanduay Rum, Watercraft Ventures Corp., Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Seawind Boracay. (Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
The Ragamuffin crew in 2015 when they came in first and shattered the Subic-Boracay record.

Read more: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/01/1558251/ragamuffin-sets-pace-subic-boracay-race

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Centennial III braces for Jelik bid in Subic-Bora race

The seventh Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race sails off Friday with all eyes on the defending champion, Centennial III of Judes Echauz, and the toughest contender, the 75-foot Jelik of Hong Kong magnate Frank Pong.

Out to offer challenge out in the open waters are 17 other sailors, who came all the way from Germany, Australia and China.

The race, which offers stiff competition, will cover a total of 210 nautical miles. If the winds blow hard, then the race gets faster, and the action tougher as the field passes through the dreaded Verde Passage en route to the island paradise of Boracay.

Echauz, president of the Philippine Sailing Association, will spearhead a 15-man crew on board Centennial III. He ruled the 2015 Subic to Boracay Race and the Boracay Regatta Cup in Malay, Aklan.

For his feat, Echauz received a citation during the Philippine Sportswriters Association awards night last Feb. 13 at One Esplanade.

Subic Bay will host two races from the Asian Yachting Grand Prix, to be followed closely by the Boracay Cup Regatta from March 1 to 4.

The event is fully backed by the Subic Racing Club, Cebu Pacific Airlines, PLDT Alpha, Resorts World Hotel, Lighthouse Hotel, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Sailing Association, Municipality of Malay and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

From Hong Kong, the Warlick-designed Shahtoosh of Peter Cremers, Antipodes of Geoff Hill, Black Baza of Steve Manning and Freefire of Sam Chan and Russ Parker are entered in Racing Class 1.

Giving them a run for their money are Ragamuffin 90 of Australia-based Syd Fisher, owner of the fastest time.

In Division Class 2, Germany’s Emocean, skippered by Michael Raueber, and Singapore’s Zanzibar, led by Jonathan Mahony, will face the challenge from five other sailors from Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Mermaid, an Oceanis 45 and owned by Hong Kong’s Xiong Ting, leads the entries in the Cruising Class division, along with Bella Uno of Michiel Brinkers and Philippines NG3 of Elmer Gualberto.

More than the bragging rights, at stake are precious points for the prestigious Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards. Captain Marty Rijkuris of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix is main judge. (Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star)

PHOTO:

JUDES Echauz steered Centennial III across the finish for a win, edging defending champion Hong Kong’s Reichel/Pug 76 Jelik in the sixth Standard Insurance Subic-to-Boracay Race in 2015.

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/02/24/1556229/centennial-iii-braces-jelik-bid-subic-bora-race

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