Radis makes it five titles in a row in Boracay Funboard

Australian Robbie Radis found little resistance as he claimed his fifth straight title with ease over an international field at the close of the 16th Boracay International Funboard Cup yesterday in the island paradise of Boracay.

Radis is poised to bring home the coveted Boracay Cup next year if he becomes the overall champion again.

Under Funboard rules, the sailor who wins the Philippine leg of the prestigious Adecco Asian Windsurfing Tour three straight times takes home the cup. Radis has already won the original Boracay cup — an old, weather-beaten silver cup — when he emerged victorious for the third consecutive time in 2001.

For now, silver plaque emblazoned with his name will do for Radis.

"I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself this year because I want to please myself and my sponsors. My sponsors have been very supportive. In return, I promised them a convincing win," Radis said.

And convincing it was. Radis was literally the runaway winner this year, dominating every heat he entered as well as the Addict Mobile Speed Trials.

With a brand new, high-tech, ultra-light sail and a wide board, Radis clocked almost 65 kph, a far cry from second placer Conrad Kerber’s 59.7 kph.

In the ladies’ speed trials, Philstar.com star athlete Nenette Graf bested Denmark’s Josephine Petersen with a speed of 49.7 kph. Germany’s Simone Bartmann placed third with 47.3 kph.

In the junior masters division, Guam’s Kerber finished first while Korea’s Yong Keun Suh placed second and Briton Paul Phillips third.

For the juniors class, Taiwanese Hao Chang continued his domination over teenage bet Lance Joson. David Chen of Taiwan landed third.

In the grand masters category, Taiwan’s Chin Yu Lung copped first place honors while Filipino Manolet Gonzalez settled for second.

In the ladies class, Japanese surprise sensation Ayako Suzuki maintained her grip on the top spot while compatriot Rika Nagata stole second place from defending champion Nenette Graf.

American George Gesner, who registered under the Philippines, dashed the hopes of Swiss Felix Guggenheim to land in first place. Korean Gun Min Jang took the third spot.

In the heated men’s class, Guam’s Keiichi Kobayashi ruled the scene over local bet German Paz and Scott Cummings.

Korean Lee Jae Jae Cheol, on the other hand, outlasted Paz and Gesner in the one-hour Winduro race.

The 16th Boracay International Funboard Cup was made possible by Adecco, Fosters Beer, Neil Pryde, Lava Eyewear, the Department of Tourism, the local government of Malay, Aklan, and the Boracay community. Cup sponsors are Addict Mobile, Asian Spirit, Kinetic Windsurfing, the Greenyard Funboard Center, and Philstar.com.