RP hosts Hobie int'l regatta

The Philippines will be the site of this year's Hobie Challenge 2000, an annual international regatta where teams of top sailors from five countries will see action when it kicks off March 19 at the South Waters Marina Country Club in Lucena City.

Some of the world's top sailors have confirmed participation in the race. Early entries include the teams of Mike Scantlebury and Douglas Hansen-Luke from Hong Kong and Richard Wald, Peter Foster and James Peyton from the United Kingdom.

The Philippines will be represented by Rex Puentespina, Mark Haswell, Jill Novera and Rannie Lavina. Other competitors are Phil Sawyer and Dave Silvester of Papua New Guinea, Chris Steilberg of the People's Republic of China, and Tony and Janet Stearns, Stefan Heitman and Leonie Duson.

The race, dubbed the "Ultimate Sailing Adventure," will be in Hobie 16 racing catamarans and will consist of several inter-island legs from South Waters Marina to Boracay. The race will bring the sailors to Marinduque, Maestre de Campo, Simara, Romblon and South Tablas Islands.