HK squad questions Centennial’s Boracay win

BORACAY—Sailing in favorable conditions, Centennial III again conquered the challenge in the 7th Standard Insurance Boracay Cup Regatta 2016 Friday off the coast of this island paradise.

The defending champion TP 52 Davidson boat, skippered by sail master Judes Echauz, however, had to postpone the celebration after Freefire of Hong Kong businessman Sam Chan filed a protest.

Chan and sailing partner Russ Parker complained that their boat, a TP 52 J/V model, got bumped by Centennial III at the start of the sixth and final race, sending them off course.

“We have to wait for the decision of the judges to settle the protest,” said Echauz, who also claimed that they were also hit from behind.

Centennial III eventually ruled the sixth race and could be declared champion should the three-man international jury decides on its favor.

The 14-year-old sailboat owned by Echauz earlier won races two and three of the IRC 1 contest.

Echauz and company placed second in the Subic Bay to Boracay Race to Hong Kong’s elite yachtsman Frank Pong’s Jelik, a Reichel/Pugh 75 that pulled out of the IRC after sailing with a broken running back prior to the second race.

The four-day regatta, a combination of point-to-point and windward/leeward courses, is part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix season. Captain Marty Rijkuris is the main judge.

Echauz, president of the Philippine Sailing Federation, said the race has been dedicated to 14-year-old Clarence Sanchez, a national sailing team aspirant who drowned in Manila Bay last Sunday.

The victim’s family eventually decided against suing PH coach Felipe Mosquera.

The Boracay Regatta Cup also offers precious points for the coveted Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year awards.