Subic-to-Boracay to boost Phl yatching circuit bid

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines - – Participants from all over Asia will see action in the second 200-mile Subic Bay to Boracay offshore yacht race which sails off Feb. 25 at Subic Freeport here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said the sporting event “will serve as an excellent platform to further showcase the Subic Bay Freeport and help firm up Subic’s quest for a distinctive spot in the yachting circuit.”

“With this new development, we add more muscle to our bid for Subic Bay Freeport to be a major player in the maritime industry, as well as a world-class tourism destination. It will be a sure-fire boost to our efforts to attract more visitors to Subic and the communities nearby,” Garcia said.

Described as one of the most challenging and tactical races in the sailing world, the Subic to Boracay Race 2012 is part of the 12 prestigious regattas in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship 2011-2012 that will determine the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

It will be followed by the four-day Boracay Cup Regatta from Feb. 28-March 2.

Both races are being organized by the Philippine Sailing Association-backed Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing (SAGS) Club of Subic and in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC), The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, and the provincial governments of Zambales and Aklan.

According to SAGS co-chairman Jun Avecilla, around 30 to 40 Grand Prix race yachts manned by some 300 to 400 top-notch local and foreign sailors are expected to join the race.

The starting signal for the sailing competition, which may take 20-40 hours to finish depending on the size of the boat, will be sounded off from the Lighthouse Marina Resort inside the Freeport.

SBYC Commodore Ricky Sandoval II, chairman of the organizing committee, said the event will receive much media attention, especially when negotiations with sports channel ESPN pushes through.

When it does, the races will be aired in 196 countries around the globe.

More sea races are scheduled to take place in this free port, SAGS officials also noted, as the blue-water classic Rolex China Sea Race will take off from the Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong on April 4 and ends at Subic Bay.

Subic Bay will also host the Commodore’s Cup Regatta in April.