Focus on Centennial III, Scallywag in Subic-Boracay

MANILA, Philippines - Centennial III of topnotch Pinoy sailor Judes Echauz seeks a third overall crown when the Standard Insurance eighth Subic Bay-to-Boracay Race (SBBR) and Boracay Cup Regatta (BCR) are staged Feb. 17-24.

Echauz knows that scoring the feat against an international field is easier said than done.

“Hopefully, we can do it again,” said Echauz, the president of the Philippine Sailing Association (PSA), during the event’s press launch yesterday at Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura, Manila.

“It will be our third (straight) overall championship if ever. We’ve seen the boats that we will compete with and those who are coming over are very competitive,” he said.

The red-white-and-blue Centennial III was second to Jelik in the SBBR last year but caught the winds off Boracay by winning three of the six races.

After almost a week of racing in the open waters, Centennial III, a modified first-generation TP 52-footer Davidson, was crowned overall champion for the second straight time.

Karakoa of Ray Ordoveza finished second behind Centennial III last year followed by Freefire, Antipodes and Ragamuffin 90.

Echauz will continue to bank on his all-Filipino crew, made up mostly of members of the Philippine team and Navy.

“These are very young athletes and these are all-Filipino,” said Echauz, whose eyes are glued on Scallywag, the former Ragamuffin 90 and holder of the SBBR record of 14 hours, 23 minutes 17 seconds.

Hong Kong’s Seng Huang Lee, a 41-year-old billionaire, purchased Ragamuffin 90 from Syd Fischer last year, but has kept the crew skippered by David Witt.

“It’s a very, very fast boat and we expect the (SBBR) record to be broken this year,” said Echauz heading to the race that is part of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Jun Avecilla, chairman of the organizing committee, said all eyes will be on Scallywag.

“This one will probably beat all records,” he said.