Capotosto, Kramer dominate Tanauan sailfest

MANILA, Philippines - Peter Capotosto and Carla Kramer of Team Potato Corner dominated their respective events to rule the Masters and Open categories in the first Tanauan Sailing Festival and the Philippine Hobie Championships at Taal Lake recently.

Philippine Sailing team sailors Richly Magsanay and Jherom Camansi of Team Tanauan City turned in the best aggregate times in two events to lead the winners in the Hobie Nationals.

The other winners in the event, hosted by the city government of Tanauan and Taal Lake Yacht Club, were Mike Ngu and Rosalindo Pahayahay of Team Boot La Playa, who topped the Masters and Open categories of the Nationals, and Martin Marty, who dominated the Hobie Bravo division of both Tanauan and Nationals.

The event, staged to promote Tanauan City as a sailing haven, also served as part of the year-long observance of the 150th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, Tanauan’s most illustrious son.

Tanauan Mayor Antonio Halili said the sailfest aims to promote tourism in the town, especially around Taal Lake.

The sailfest also featured Hobie bravos and getaways, and homebuilt boats. Windsurf raceboards and funboards also hit the waters and served as the Philippine Windsurfing Association’s qualifying regatta for the 2014 World Championships.

Supported by Aboitiz Power, Potato Corner, Emperador Brandy and Awilihan Resort, as well as Tanaueños overseas,  the Nationals is the run-up event to the 14th Philippine Hobie Challenge, the country’s top international extreme sailing event set March 15-23 from Cebu to Iloilo.