BORACAY—Centennial III turned back a frantic finish by Karakoa to complete its date with history in the 2017 Subic Bay to Boracay Race-Boracay Cup Regatta over the weekend here.
The champion boat still won the overall title this year despite losing the last two races of the annual regatta to Karakoa, and emerged as the first-ever team to win three straight titles in the eighth-year history of the event.
Centennial edged Karokoa for the championship by a single point after completing a sweep of both the Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta.
Skipper Judes Echauz expressed how proud he was for the feat achieved by his all-Filipino crew that steered the TP 52 Davidson boat to another victory.
“A lot of people have been saying that the Subic to Boracay passage race is the best in Southeast Asia. And having performed well in this regatta is an achievement on its own,” said Echauz during the victory party celebration at the Seawind Boracay Island in this pristine paradise.
At the same time, he added the victory of Centennial III is also a victory for the country, considering top-notch boats from Asian power Hong Kong and Singapore, along with Great Britain competed in the six-day meet that began Saturday of last week.
“This is an international regatta and you’re not only competing against the top boats from Hong Kong but in Asia,” said Echauz.
“We call it Standard Insurance Centennial II, but it’s the boat that really represents the Philippine team,” added Echauz, also president of the Philippine Sailing Association. “So, whenever we win, it’s the win by the Philippine team.”
By virtue of topping the last two races of the IRC Racing Class 1 of the event that forms part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix season, Karakoa, skippered by Rey Ordoveza, finished a strong second behind Centennial III.
Antipodes, an entry from Great Britain and captained by Geoff Hill, finished third overall, followed by one-time winner Jelik of Hong Kong led by Frank Pong.
The Boracay Regatta Cup also offers precious points for the coveted Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards.
Sanctioned by the PSA, the meet is fully backed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Watercraft Venture Corp., Seawind Boracay Resort, the Lighthouse Marina Resort, and Subic Sailing Club.