Standard Insurance Centennial, with owner Judes Echauz leading the way, led the TP 52 Davidson yacht in besting over 1,500 sailors from 40 countries to claim the overall championship of the IRC A Class in the recent 11th China Cup International Regatta in Shenzhen, China.
The Filipino sailors edged Ker 46 Alpha+ skippered by Sean Kang in topping the premier division of the four-day race on the choppy waters off Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
“Like the popularity of President Duterte in China, our team has become one of Regatta’s favorites,” said Echauz, president of the Philippine Sailing Association and chair of Standard Insurance group. “We’re lucky to win this race.”
Joining Echauz in the one-point win over Ker 46 Alpha + were top match racing skipper Allan Balladares and Standard Insurance computer engineer Steve Tan. —JUNE NAVARRO