Close finish hands Stella regatta crown

Defending champion Stella frustrated Karakoa right at its home front to rule the President’s Cup Regatta 2002 Open Racing Class at the Manila Bay Yacht Club for the second straight year.

The Fred Kinmoth-skippered Stella, which finished second to Karakoa during the penultimate day of this premier sailing event, recovered its bearings in the final chase with a corrected time of 4:00:23, just a minute ahead of Australia’s Hi-Fidelity (4:01:26).

That slim victory over the Neil Pryde-owned boat though proved just enough for Stella to garner 3 points and the tournament-leading 10 to keep the President’s Cup Regatta title for another year.

Despite the third place showing of Karakoa in the final race (4:09:06), it still however, emerged runner-up with 12 points, a tad ahead of the 13 of the Sydney 46-designed Hi-Fidelity in this event supported by major sponsors Smart, Nokia Philippines and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Karakoa, which grabbed the lead on Friday, is owned and skippered by MYC Commodore Ray Ordoveza.

Rounding out the top 10 in the Open Class are Andres Soriano’s Maligaya (31 points, 4th) Federico Garcia’s Balangjai (33, 5th), Jon Wardill’s Australian Maid (35, 6th) Frank Pong’s Jelik (36, 7th), Bill Rawson’s Helsal II (43, 8th), Gerry Daughton’s Outrageous (46, 9th) and Sam Chan’s Free Fire (50, 10th).

. Reigning titlist Jo de Ros of American George Hackett topped the Cruiser Racer with 7 points with Sandoway and Lethal Weapon coming in at 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Other winners are Vivaldi (4th), Rapparee (5th), Viking Express (6th), Fast Exit (7th) and Salina (8th). The Cruiser Class title went to Green Sleeves with Margarita emerging runner-up. They are followed by Freewheeler, August Pearl, Windseeker, Trio, Intrigue, Bewitched and Lhayas.