Centennial III makes move in Boracay

BORACAY, Philippines – Centennial III played catch me if you can in Day 3 of the Boracay Regatta Cup and grabbed the upperhand heading into the last day of competition in this beautiful island paradise.

Skippered by sail master Judes Echauz, Centennial III negotiated the course of 28 nautical miles in four hours and 19:05, followed by Karakoa (4:21) and Antipodes (4:24:06).

With two short races left on the final day of action, Centennial III, proud winner of the Subic-to-Boracay race last week, only needs a steady hand to win the overall title this year.

“We have regained the lead but anything can happen. However, we are confident we have what it takes,” said Echauz after the penultimate day of the event presented by Standard Insurance.

“We still expect a tough race on the final day,” said Echauz, who is president of the Philippine Sailing Association.

Centennial III had a slow start on opening day won by Jelik but caught the winds with its red-white-and-blue sail to rule Wednesday’s race.

Jelik finished fourth in the IRC Racing Class yesterday. Others vying in the premier race are Antipodes, EFG Mandrake, Vineta, Ulumulu, Ragamuffin 90 and Karakoa.

Ricky Sandoval, who heads the organizing committee, said Thursday’s race got a little bit tricky when the rains caught up with the competitors but that overall it was a good day to race.

The co-chairman of the organizing committee, Jun Avecilla, said the wind “was never a letdown” for the 15 entries in the IRC Racing Class, IRC Cruiser Class and PY Cruising Class.

Racing in the IRC Cruiser are Centennial II, Zanzibar, Sabad and Selma Star. In the PY Cruising, it’s a battle among H-Trip, Emocean and Ocean Runner.

The event is organized by the Philippine Sailing Association and Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing Club in cooperation with the Subic Bay Yacht Club, The Lighthouse Marina Resort with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Department of Tourism, Philippine Coast Guard and Municipality of Malay.