“Tourism is back in Subic” – SBMA chief

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Rolen C. Paulino has confirmed the return of tourism activities in the country’s premier freeport.

“First, Ironman was here two weeks ago. This is the second international sporting event after my appointment as SBMA chairman. And this goes to show that tourism is back in Subic,” Paulino said.

Paulino welcomed guests and participants of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, the second international sporting event to happen here, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IAFT-MEID) placed Central Luzon under alert level 1, among most areas in the country.

The Clipper Race is a yacht race that goes around the world, facing one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other. Each fleet of yacht has a fully qualified skipper and first mate to safely guide the crew.

Now on its 12^th edition, the Clipper Race 2019-2020 took off from London, UK in September 2019; made way to Portimāo, Portugal in September 2019; then Punta del Este, Uruguay in October 2019, Cape Town, South Africa in November 2019, Fremantle, Australia in December 2019 and Whitsundays, Australia in January 2020.

Each host port offers a unique opportunity to be immersed in its culture and explore the city’s highlights.

The race has restarted in Subic Bay, having been on-hold for two years since the Covid-19 pandemic restricted the movement of people to prevent the spread of the disease.

After leaving the waters of Subic Bay, the fleet of 11 yachts and about 250 crew members are heading to Seattle, USA and leave by April 2022; then to Panama and leave by June 2022; Bermuda by June 2022; New York, USA by June 2022; Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland by July 2022, and London, UK by July 30, 2022.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, co-founder and chairman of the Clipper Ventures, expressed appreciation to one of the host ports, Subic Bay. He also thanked the chairman and Tourism manager Jem Camba, “whose teams have worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of Clipper Race stopover in Subic Bay.”

Knox-Johnston, himself, was the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in June 1968. He was one of the nine sailors to compete in the Times Golden Globe Race, who set off on a voyage that lasted ten months, securing his place in the history books after he arrived back in Falmouth, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom in 312 days at sea in April 1969.

Meanwhile, Camba disclosed upcoming tourism events for the rest of the first semester.

She mentioned there will be fun run, trail run, and cycling events. Holy Week activities will also resume, which is the peak season of Subic Bay, as well as other religious and non-religious events.

For the Holy Week, which will start on Palm Sunday and will end on Easter Sunday, she said that there would be nightly activities at the Boardwalk area, as well as entertainment from Holy Wednesday to Black Saturday.

Also, there will be three concessionaires in different areas—weekend night market at San Roque chapel, as well as concessionaires at the Boardwalk, and a Banchetto (banquet) at the mini-golf.

Paulino, who was appointed new SBMA chairman and administrator on March 1, said that he plans to bring back the “old glory days” of Subic Bay by making it attractive again to more tourists and visitors.

“Come to Subic! It is still the one of the most beautiful destinations in the country, and the number 1 in Region 3. We have fast, flexible and friendly people in Subic,” Paulino said. (MPD-SBMA)

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TRAP SHOOTING / SAILING - The 30th SEA Games in Subic Bay (In Photos)

Day 8 of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, December 9, 2019.

[1] Filipino marksman Carl Carag takes aim during the Trap Shooting event on Dec. 9 at the at the EOD Firing Range in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[2] Competitors line up for the Trap Shooting event on Dec. 9 at the at the EOD Firing Range in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[3] Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos meets SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma during the Trap Shooting event on Dec. 9 at the at the EOD Firing Range in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[4] Sailboats take advantage of fair winds during the sailing event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Dec. 9 at the Subic Bay Freeport.


Photos & captions by the SBMA Media Production Department/Richard Johnson/Jonas Reyes

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‘Centennial III’ reigns in Subic to Boracay race

Boracay — For the first time, TP 52 Davidson Centennial III of Judes Echauz trounced top contender and veteran campaigner Jelik, skippered by Hong Kong’s steel magnate Frank Pong to win the 8th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race (SBBR) started at the Freeport last Saturday noon.

Jun Avecilla, chairman of the organizing committee, announced that Centennial III, with all Filipino-crew arrived in this pristine white beach resort with 11:33:14 nosing out Jelik with 11:50: 02 or difference of 16: 48.

TP 52 Centennial III (center) bags the 8th Standard Insurance Subic to Boracay Race

“This is the first that Centennial III beats Jelik on the line in the SBBR since the competition started seven years ago,” according to Avecilla adding that Centennial III placing second to Jelik for the past five years.

Geoff Hill’s Smith 72 Customs Atipodes placed third with12: 02: 46 in annual regatta grand prix sanctioned by the Philippine Sailing Association the Asian Yachting Grand Prix and fully backed by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Watercraft Venture Corp., the Lighthouse Marina Resort and Subic Sailing Club.

Other local contenders in the Racing Class I (RCI) are Excel 53 Karakoa helmed by businessman Ray Ordoveza and regular campaigner Black Baza captained by Anthony Root and Steve Manning, wherein the organizers are computer their time of arrival as of press time.

From Subic, the race will pass through the Bataan Peninsula, Batangas beaches, Mindoro, Tablas and Carabao Island in Romblon before reaching the tip of Boracay Island.

However, Scallywag, the highly fancied 100-footer of Malaysian-born Seng Huang Leng, failed to erase their previous time record arriving 9:26:31, according to Avecilla.

Scallywag is the former Ragamuffin 100, the same boat that holds the record in the Subic Bay to Boracay Race in 14 hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds set in 2015.

The four-day regatta, a combination of point-to-point and windward/leeward courses, is part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix season. Captain Tom Sheppard is the main judge.

The Boracay Regatta Cup also offers precious points for the coveted Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards.

Overall winners in each three class of the combined Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta series will bring home the impressive hand crafted solid brass trophy replicas by Fernando Cacnio, a multiawarded Filipino visual artist.

The Philippine Coast Guard will provide escorts for the participants during the race for safety and security. (BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/centennial-iii-reigns-in-subic-to-boracay-race/

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Subic to Boracay race unfolds

All eyes were on reigning overall champion Centennial III as the eighth Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta flagged off in the waters off the world-class Subic Sailing Club Saturday (Feb 18).

Skippered by Philippine Sailing Association president Judes Echauz, the 52-foot Centennial III is out to make it three in a row as the event’s overall champion.

The Subic Centennial III sails off from Subic Bay

But Centennial III, a first-generation TP52-class yacht that was built in 2002, is expected to be crowded at the top by perennial rival Jelik of Hong Kong magnate Frank Pong, and Scallywag, the highly fancied 100-footer of Malaysian-born billionaire Seng Huang Leng.

Scallywag is the former Ragamuffin 100, the same boat that holds the record in the Subic Bay to Boracay Race in 14 hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds set in 2015.

Sailboats over the waters of Subic Bay

While Scallywag is tipped to break the existing record, Centennial III is expected to finish not too far behind. Last year, Centennial III finished second to Jelik in the SBBR but held on in Boracay by winning three of the six races.

The three top finishes in the famous island paradise and a decision by the jury to overturn a late protest by Freefire enabled Centennial III to retain the overall crown.

“I hope we can do it again. It will be three straight if ever,” said the 69-year-old Echauz.

Around 15 yachts from Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines will see action in this annual event beginning today and ending on Feb. 24 in Boracay.

The event is fully supported by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Watercraft Venture Corp., the Lighthouse Marina Resort and Subic Sailing Club. (Abac Cordero, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/02/18/1673469/subic-boracay-race-unfolds

More photos courtesy of SAGS Subic Sailing

Opening party on the eve of the Regatta at the Subic Lighthouse Marina

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Sailors race from Subic to Boracay

WITH top notch sailors and boats coming in from Hong Kong, excitement is building up on the Standard Insurance 8th Subic Bay to Boracay Race.

Organizers led by Ernesto Echauz and Jun Avecilla said this as around 18 boats and more than 200 crack sailors from all the globe come over to take part in this extreme sailing action.

Participants will head down south to one of the country’s famous tropical paradise, Boracay.

“This will be a part of the Asian Yachting Circuit that determines the Skipper of the Year and Yacht of the Year,” said Avecilla during yesterday’s press briefing at the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura, Manila.

The event is also part of the Philippine Sailing Grand Prix, which is a series of popular racing events in the country that put Subic in the compass of the international sailing community.

The SBBR is just the start. It will be followed by the Boracay Cup Regatta on Monday, Feb. 20.

Then, the 10th Commodore’s Cup Regatta will be on tap from April 19 to 23, also in Subic Bay.

All of these are part of the 2017 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit organized by Asian Yachting.com.

“The coming race is going to be very exciting. Because, we are going to see the top boats from Hongkong coming over,” added Echauz, who is also the president of the Philipine Sailing Association.

Syd Fisher’s Dubois 90 Ragamuffin, skippered by David Witt, recorded the fastest time of 14 hours, 23 minutes and 17 seconds that last time around.

This time, a bigger boat Scallywag, which is the former Ragamuffin 100, will be there to beat the record under new owner Seng Huang Lee.

Last year’s Frank Pong’s Custom Dibley 75 Jelik navigated through the Bataan and Batangas Mountain Range, and cleared the notoriously tricky Verde Passage with ease.

Jelik went on to claim the handicap honors by two hours over defending IRC Cruising Class 1 champion TP52 Standard Insurance-Centennial III, which belongs to Echauz.

This year’s Echauz’s boat will go head on again against Ray Ordoveza’s Excel 53 Karakoa, which lost by a point to Standard Insurance-Centennial III last year.

Also in contention in the IRC Racing Class 2 event is Nick Burns’ Sydney GTS43 Mandrake, which took the class handicap plum. (Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Sports)

PHOTO:
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 last year.

http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/228757/sailors-race-from-subic-to-boracay.html

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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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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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Subic yachting group gifts Ayta tribe with tourism boats

The International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR) through its grants program has donated two sailboats to the indigenous Ayta tribe in this free port in order for them to earn additional income from tourism.

IYFR International Rear Commodore Jun Avecilla said the group awarded funds to the Subic Bay Fleet for them to acquire two “paraws,” which are double outrigger sailboats native to the Visayas region that are popularly seen in Boracay.

Ayta leader Conrado Frenilla, chieftain of the Ambala Ayta tribe in the Subic Bay Freeport, received the boats last Saturday at the culmination of the Commodores’ Cup Regatta at The Lighthouse Marina Resort here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, along with members of the IYFR Subic Bay fleet, Rotary Clubs of Subic Bay and Subic Pearl, and the ISAF International Jury of Commodores’ Cup Regatta, witnessed the event.

Garcia said the boats, with Ayta tribesmen as operators, “will give Subic Bay another iconic attraction, as well as provide visitors with a different sailing experience.”

“We thank the IFYR and the Rotary Clubs for giving this opportunity to our Ayta brethren, as well as for this project that would redound to the good of Subic Bay tourism,” Garcia said.

Avecilla said the Subic Bay Fleet brought the sailboats to Subic Bay to help the Zambales Aytas in augmenting their livelihood, “and in line with the service objectives of the Fellowship.”

“The Aetas are not known seafarers, but they have in early times been reported to have lived in coastal areas until they were driven away to the mountains because of circumstances,” Avecilla noted.

“It will be the pleasure of our sailing group, the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS), to teach them how to sail or operate and man the boats themselves,” he added.

Avecilla also pointed out that staging of Commodore’s Cup 2015 marked the expansion of the Philippine Sailing Association’s sailing program in Subic Bay, which is spearheaded by PSA Chairman Judes Echauz, with himself as vice president.

“The IYFR also advocates the preservation of coastal areas and the environment and to maintain its cleanliness,” Avecilla also said.

As of now, Subic Bay hosts two out of 12 races from the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship, which determines the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

Those who received their awards here at The Lighthouse Marina Resort for this year’s races were: Standard Insurance Centennial III owned by Ernesto Echauz and skippered by Ridgely Balladares, which dominated Racing Class 1, followed by Frank Pong’s Jelik, and Martin Tanco’s Centennial II.

Meanwhile, Avecilla’s Selma Star topped Racing Class 2, followed by Ricky Sandoval’s Selma; and Eric Jurado’s Alexa, emerged as champion in the Cruising Class, followed by Harry Taylor’s Irresistible, and Ome Carbonell’s Bugo Bugo. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Pastolan Ayta leaders led by Ambala tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla (2nd from right) with Jun Avecilla of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) during the ceremonial turnover of “paraws” donated by the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Centennial III rules Commodores’ Cup

Standard Insurance Centennial III, steered by businessman/skipper Judes Echauz, annexed another international title as it swept the recent Commodores’ Cup Regatta 2015 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The 52-foot boat earlier bagged the overall title in the combined Subic to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta 2015 last month in Malay, Aklan, snapping a series of runner-up finishes.

Centennial III, helmed by Philippine top 470 class sailor Allan Balladares and managed by Standard Insurance computer engineer Steve Tan, claimed the overall title in the Open racing class, edging last year’s champion Hong Kong’s Jelik, skippered by Frank Pong, in the event organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club and held in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association (PSA).

Centennial II of Martin Tanco, the 2013 champion and made up for members of the national team vying in this year’s SEA Games in Singapore, placed third.

The Commodores’ Cup Regatta was one of the 12 top regattas of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix championship that determines the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year (all of which are of international standard, comparable with the most popular sailing circuits in the world).

Subic Bay, meanwhile, will host two out of 12 races from the Asian Yachting Grand Prix. (The Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
Members of the Standard Insurance Centennial III celebrate their victory in the Commodores’ Cup Regatta at Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/04/15/1444037/centennial-iii-rules-commodores-cup

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Developing young sailors in Subic

Sixteen young sailors, ages nine to 15, participated in the dinghies competition (optimist class) during the just concluded eighth Commodores’ Cup Regatta organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club, in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association (PSA) in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The young sailors, mostly from Cavite and Parañaque City, were trained in Manila for three months under PSA sailing coach Medy Fidel.

This summer, the training program will be expanded in Subic Bay wherein prospective sailors will come from Olongapo City and nearby towns of Zambales.

Hong Kong’s Frank Pong, Asia’s top sailor and Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, is one of the leading supporters of sailing in the Philippines. Pong’s crews are mostly Filipinos coming from Cebu, Bacolod and Manila. They have been sailing and competing for more than 20 years.

His donation of new sail for the training boats of the SAGS Sailing School in partnership with the PSA has helped jumpstart the sailing program in Subic. (BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Sixteen youngsters learn to sail under the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing Club's program

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8th Commodores’ Cup Regatta up in Subic

The Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club will hold the eighth Commodores’ Cup Regatta on April 7-9 with a strong field expected to vie for top honors in Subic Bay.

Hong Kong’s IRC Racing defending champion Jelik of Frank Pong and IRC Cruiser B winner Selma skippered by Ricky Sandoval will head the cast in the event held in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Philippine Sailing Association, according to PSA vice chair Jun Avecilla.

IRC Cruiser A champion Red Kite II skippered by Anthony Root, however, will not participate this year.

Since 1962, international yachtsmen and women have pitted themselves against the cold rough seas off Hong Kong and the sun-drenched slope of the windless days off the Philippine coast.

This year, the race from Hong Kong will end up in San Fernando, La Union (480 nautical miles).

Avecilla said the Commodores’ Cup will feature several races of different kinds of training boats, including the Optimists, Flying 15, 420s and Streakers.

“Blessed with one of the best race management teams in Asia, safe marina facilities and the wide expanse of Subic Bay, the Commodore’s Cup Regatta makes for an exceptional racing experience,” Avecilla said.

He added that this year marks the expansion of the PSA sailing program in Subic Bay which is spearheaded by Judes Echauz, PSA chairman.

PSA sailing coach Medy Fidel, who is aiming for Olympic qualifier, will be the head of the expansion training this summer.

Filipinos have always been considered as one of the best sailors in the world. Pong’s crews are mostly Filipinos coming from Cebu, Bacolod and Manila. They have been sailing and competing for more than 20 years.

Pong, Asia’s top sailor and Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, is one of the leading supporters of sailing in the Philippines. His donation of new sails for the training boats of the SAGS Sailing School in partnership with the PSA has helped jumpstart the sailing program in Subic.

“Whenever I can, we help out here and there. Oftentimes, youngsters have a limited budget and the people helping them also needs assistance,” said Pong.

The inshore races from Hong Kong to San Fernando are organized by the Saturday SAGS Club, in conjunction with the Asian Yachting Grand Prix in cooperation with The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures, Inc., Standard Insurance and the Department of Tourism. (The Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
The eighth Commodores’ Cup will feature various races for different kinds of training boats.


http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/04/01/1439801/8th-commodores-cup-regatta-subic

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Centennial III reigns in Subic-to-Boracay race

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 Sunday afternoon off Boracay in Malay, Aklan.

After sailing a highly and tactical battle, Centennial III topped the IRC Racing Class, with a time 27:37:39, while Frank Pong’s Jelik was a close second with 27:45:06.

The race was a 200-mile ISAF Cat 3 offshore one and started off the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, last Saturday noon.

Depending on the size of the boat, the race takes between 20 to 40 hours.

Finishing third was Malaysia’s Ulumulu, skippered by Troy Yaw and Jeremy Koo with 28: 11:52, while highly regarded Hong Kong sailor Geoff Hill and his Antipodes placed fourth with 28: 13:32.

American Race Officer Jerry Rollin said Ragamuffin 90-Dubois 90 Custom-designed and skippered by David Witt, arrived fifth with 28: 37:48 and veteran campaigner and 2013 winner Karakoa, led by Ray Ordoveza, was sixth overall with 28: 42:44.

Action in the waters of Boracay won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will splash back into competition with the Boracay Cup Regatta, which started yesterday up to March 6.

Stakes in the race are high as, according to Commodore Ricky Sandoval, chair of the organizing committee, of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing, it will be part of the basis for yearend honors in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Winners in the SBBR and the Boracay Cup Regatta will earn precious points in the race for the AY skipper and Yacht of the Year honors.

The twin event is organized by the Philippine Sailing Association and Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing Club, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Yacht Club, and The Lighthouse Marina Resort and in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Department of Tourism, Philippine Coast Guard, and Municipality of Malay.

Sponsors include Cebu Pacific, PLDT Alpha , Resort World Philippines, Tanduay, Seawinds Resort Boracay, Business Mirror and Manila Bulletin. (Manila Standard Today)

PHOTO:
Centennial III (left) of Judes Echauz leaves its rivals behind.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/03/centennial-iii-reigns-in-subic-to-boracay-race/

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Pong, Jelik head elite cast in Subic-to-Boracay race

Top sailors from the Asian yachting circuit, led by defending champion Frank Pong and his 75-foot boat Jelik, will set sail in a highly technical and tactical battle in the Standard Insurance sixth Subic Bay to Boracay Race (SBBR) from Feb. 27 to March 2.

Pong, the 2013 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, will spearhead the bids of some 30-35 competitors in the grueling 210 nautical mile race that will test their skills tackling the shifting winds of Subic and the treacherous Verde Passage on the way to the scenic island of Boracay.

“This will be a very exciting race considering we will see a lot of participation from highly competitive boats in Southeast Asia,” said Standard Insurance chairman Judes Echauz during yesterday’s press conference at Passion Restaurant in Resorts World.

Sailors from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines will vie for the top plum in the Primary Racing Class, which will feature a mega yacht in the field in the 110-footer Ocean Runner skippered by Dirk Van Straalen.

Action in the waters of Bora won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will splash back into competition with the Boracay Cup Regatta from March 2-6.

Stakes in the race are high as, according to Commodore Ricky Sandoval, chair of the organizing committee, and Jun Avecilla, co-chairman of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing and president of The Lighthouse Marina Resort, it will be part of the basis for yearend honors in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Winners in the SBBR and the Boracay Cup Regatta will earn precious points in the race for the AY skipper and Yacht of the Year honors.

Organizers and their partners sealed their partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding yesterday.

Affixing their signatures were Echauz, Sandoval, Avecilla, PLDT Alpha Enterprise business head Richard Echon, PLDT SME AVP and head of SME-marketing Amil Azurin, Cebu Pacific Air CEO Garry Kingshott, Olongapo City sports coordinator David Bayarong, Philippine Coast Guard’s RADM Cecil Chen, RADM William Melad and Capt. Oscar Endeno.

“Over the years, we work tirelessly with our sailing partners toward opening more doors for occasions in spreading the spark of sailing and enliven big boat racing pursuits in the Philippines,” said Avecilla. (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/02/19/1425380/pong-jelik-head-elite-cast-subic-boracay-race

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Recyclable boats set sail in Subic

Boats made out of recycled materials set sail in the waters of Subic Bay last Saturday at the Lighthouse Marina Resort for the International Coastal Cleanup Zambales Recyclable Regatta challenge.

Teams from different companies, local government units and non-government organizations built their own boats made out of 80 percent recycled materials and raced 100 meters to shore to prove that even trash can be used wisely.

Argee Gomez, Marketing Manager of Harbor Point Mall said that “The purpose of this event is to heighten awareness about plastic pollution and integrate creative outlets that will further educate the public that we can turn our trash as useful tools.”

Most of the boats were made out of plastic bottles, gallons, used styrofoam and wood or bamboo. Makeshift paddles were also made to stir the boats while racing.

Teams braved the waves and strong winds with their make shift boats as the fastest tandem finished the 100-meter course in just under seven minutes, and the last came in 15 minutes later.

“The hardest part of the race is going up to the mark because of the waves and strong winds. After that it was fairly easy because we were just riding the waves back to the shore like surfers,” said Jeric Ejanda from Team Lighthouse.

The team of Ejercito Estrada and Jeric Ejanda from Lighthouse Marina Resort finished first, followed by Brothers Anthony and David Bayarong of Batang Gapo News TV and on third was Marion Baldueza and Michelle Rillon of Red Cross Olongapo.

All teams were winners, since the top three finishers were given major prizes courtesy of Harbor Point Mall, while all other participants went home with consolation prizes provided by Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation.

This event is in line with the International Coastal Cleanup-Zambales (ICCZ) on September 20, 2014. The data collected during the cleanup are used for science-based solutions to tackle challenges like ocean trash, and according to cleanup data, plastic items are in the top 10 pollutants which mostly end up in our waterways.

By applying the principles of “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle”, all can make a difference in protecting the environment, the organizers said. (David Bayarong, Sun Star Pampanga)

PHOTO: (courtesy of Lighthouse Marina)

[1] The SBMA Fire Department team rows for the homestretch with their boat made out of recycled materials

[2] Watercrafts made out of recycled materials all lined up at the waterfront beach of Subic Bay Freeport


http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/09/09/recyclable-boats-set-sail-subic-364437

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Hi Fi, Ragamuffin 90 take top honors in Rolex China Sea Race

For the second time in four years, Neil Pryde’s Welbourne 52 Hi Fi from Hong Kong has won the Rolex China Sea Race, Asia’s principal offshore event.

On Saturday morning, Hi Fi became the third boat to complete the 565-nm course from Hong Kong to Subic Bay, The Philippines following a dramatic tussle with a group of yachts, most notably Bryon Ehrhart’s TP52 Lucky from the United States. Pryde’s crew finished the race in 2 days, 21 hours, 47 minutes, enough on corrected time, with the chasing fleet becalmed, to seal overall victory.

“It was incredibly close racing,” enthused Pryde. “To be this close after so many miles is amazing. It was the same all the way down. We were never out of sight of the other boats so you could not relax one moment.”

During the final miles set against the mountainous, scenic and sunbaked approach to Subic Bay, little could separate the boats. “There were three 52-footers, ourselves, Lucky and Freefire (HKG) all neck and neck,” explained Pryde. “We were surging down the coast in good wind with an A3 spinnaker up reaching at 12 to 13 knots. It was incredibly exciting, boats kept changing positions because we had all been reading the same weather.”

With the finishing line in sight, the three crews were all seeking to make the winning tactical decision. “Lucky went around the rocks while we took the inside track. The trade off was whether there was more wind on the inside or outside,” admitted Pryde. While Lucky stole the advantage and beat Hi Fi on the water, the two minute margin was insufficient to defeat Pryde’s crew on handicap.

Pryde, a Hong Kong resident, first competed in the race in 1968 and this victory represents one of the most significant accomplishments of his illustrious sailing career. “It ranks as one of the more memorable victories we’ve had and we’ve won a lot of races,” said Pryde. “It means a lot to me, over the past few years I’ve not done a lot of sailing because I’ve had some health issues so to go out and still prove we can do it is a big thing for me personally. Yacht racing has been part of my life for sixty odd years. I’ve never cruised, I’ve always raced. It’s what I do.”

Australian Syd Fischer had taken line honours with his Maxi Ragamuffin 90 on Friday evening, finishing in a time of 57 hours, 31 minutes and 18 seconds.

By 18:00 local time on Sunday evening, 26 of the 34 competing yachts had completed the race and there had been only one retirement. (Scuttlebutt Sailing News)

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2014/04/20/hi-fi-ragamuffin-90-take-top-honors-rolex-china-sea-race/#prettyPhoto

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2014 Commodore's Cup Regatta set on April 22 to 26

Big boats and ocean multihulls will set sail on April 22 to 26 to compete in this year's Commodore's Cup Regatta in Subic Bay.

The race is organised by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing (SAGS) Club, in conjunction with the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures, Inc. and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association.

This year the Subic Commodore's Cup will include four days of racing for Flying Fifteens, dinghies, Hobie 16s and windsurfers simultanous with the Rolex China Sea Race fleet is en route Hong Kong-Philippines. Big Boats will take over for a further four days of racing in the sparkling environs of Subic Bay.

Organizers consider Subic Bay truly a first class spot for regatta, with its deep waters, airport, dockyards, and the presence of Subic Bay Yacht Club. Organisers hope that boats sailing in the Hong Kong to Subic Rolex China Sea Race will 'stay an extra day' and participate in the Commodore's Cup.

For more of this story: http://www.sail-world.com/Asia/Subic-Commodores-Cup-expands/120541

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