Centennial III keeps Boracay Regatta Cup title

BORACAY—Centennial III ruled the Standard Insurance Boracay Regatta Cup held off the shores of this island paradise for the second straight year. But the voyage that sail master Judes Echauz and his crew encountered this time was anything but smooth.

The 16-man TP 52 Davidson boat finished behind Jelik, a Richel/Pugh 75 owned by distinguished yachtsman Frank Pong, in the Subic to Boracay race earlier last week and had to a hurdle a protest after six races in the Boracay Cup on Friday.

Freefire of Hong Kong’s Sam Chan filed a complaint against Centennial III in the IRC 1 race, but the three-man international jury ruled in favor of the defending champion.

Centennial III emerged overall winner when Jelik pulled out due to a defective running back following its triumph in the Subic-Boracay contest and by topping three out of the six races in the IRC.

Organized by the Subic Yacht Club and Philippine Sailing Federation, the regatta was backed by Cebu Pacific, Tanduay Rum, Seawind Hotel, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, PLDT SME and the Philippine Coast Guard. Karakoa of Ray Ordoveza placed second while Freefire wound up third.