Centennial III cops 3rd straight crown

BORACAY, Philippines – With an all-Filipino crew headed by Judes Echauz, Centennial III bagged its third straight overall crown in the Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta that came to a close Friday in this tropical paradise.

Centennial III held off a desperate attempt by Karakoa to snatch the overall crown in the final two races and became the first boat that ever won the overall title three times in eight stagings.

During the awarding ceremony Friday evening at the beachfront of Sea Wind Resort here, Echauz and his sun-burned crew, mostly members of the Philippine team, were awarded the perpetual trophy.

Team members celebrated and unfurled a Philippine flag on stage as the rest of the competitors, including some of Asia’s top sailors, watched in approval.

Echauz, who is president of the Philippine Sailing Association, was magnanimous in victory, saying the event, fully supported by his giant insurance company, was really meant for everyone to enjoy.

“We just want everybody to have fun,” he said during the awarding ceremony.