Centennial III finally conquers longtime tormentor

Each time sail master Judes Echauz of Centennial III navigates the choppy waters from Subic Bay to Boracay, Jelik of Hong Kong steel magnate Frank Pong always stands on his way.

Centennial III, a 52-foot schooner and first generation TP52-class yacht built in 2002, finally hurdled his rival and topped the 322-kilometer 8th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race.

With an all-Filipino crew, Echauz and his Centennial III finished the race in 11 hours, 33 minutes and 14 seconds. Jelik, which won the race the past five editions, checked in second, 16:48 off the pace.

Jun Avecilla, chair of the organizing committee, said Centennial III made a historic breakthrough after placing second to Jelik for five years in a row.

Geoff Hill’s Smith 72 Customs Atipodes came in third (12:02:46) in the annual regatta grand prix.

Arriving after Geoff Hill’s yacht in the Racing Class I were Excel 53 Karakoa skippered by businessman Ray Ordoveza and regular campaigner Black Baza led by Anthony Root and Steve Manning.