Regatta cup charts different course

Due to alarming environmental concerns on Boracay Island in Aklan, this year’s Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta will be replaced by the Subic Bay around Verde Island Passage Race (SBVIPR) and the Subic Bay Cup Regatta (SBCR).

Philippine Sailing Association president Ernesto Echauz said the SBVIPR is a 200-mile race, the same distance as the Subic-Boracay event, and will start from Subic Bay down to Verde Island Passage at Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro and back to Subic Bay. The race will run from Feb. 24 to March 2.

“This Verde Island race would be more challenging because on its way back to Subic this will be mostly a kite run,” said Echauz.