Subic Bay, Philippines -- Setting the course to another season of the Philippine Sailing Grand Prix, the “Chairman’s Cup Regatta” debuts in 2019 to honor the leaders or helms of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) who have played a significant role in making Subic Bay as one of the premier yacht racing destination in Asia. The present Chairperson and Administrator of SBMA who is also the 1st woman to hold the distinguished position is none other than Atty. Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma
Subic Bay Freeport plays an important role not just in the development of sailing in the Philippines but also in the promotion of our rich maritime heritage and culture, the preservation of our environment, and continuous growth of our economy. As a sailing haven, regular regattas are held in Subic Bay to enhance yachtsman-ship for international competitions and foster camaraderie among sailors. It has become a playground for Grand Prix keelboats from various countries as they compete in the prestigious international regattas hosted here in Subic Bay.
The Chairman’s Cup Regatta 2019 (CCR) will take the place of the Commodores’ Cup Regatta scheduled on April 26-30, 2019, after the inaugural Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race 2019. The passage race that will start in Hong Kong on April 16 and 17 ends on Easter Sunday, April 21. The 1st edition of the Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Yacht Race is classic 650nm Category 1 passage race. Currently, the Subic Sailing Club is considering a feeder race that will encourage participating boats from Hong Kong to another round of racing in Subic Bay before heading back to Hong Kong.
The Chairman’s Cup Regatta will continue what the Commodores” Cup has started -- to be the paragon of the development of sailing in the country as well as a reminder to every Filipino of our maritime wealth and culture. “We hope that this event will not only produce a new generation of Filipino sailors but also give honor to our rich maritime heritage,” said Zed Avecilla, Executive Director of the Subic Sailing Club.
The Commodore's Cup Regatta was a small club racing event way back ten years ago then later became an international event as part of the Asian Yachting Circuit when then Commo. Ricky Sandoval of the Subic Bay Yacht Club and Subic Sailing Founder Jun Avecilla moved the event after the China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay to give the participants of that regatta an inshore race competition as there has been no scheduled event during that time. It has then filled the Asian Yachting Calendar up to this year.
One of the major attractions at the Chairman's Cup Regatta is the One Design FarEast 28R with ten (10) boats in the fleet. Other Keel Boat classes include IRC 1 Class 1, IRC 2 Class, Cruising Class and Multihull Class. There will also be a Dinghy Division composed of the Optimist Class, 420 Class, 470 Class and Streaker Class. SSC will always and continues to support diversity of boats and sailors and gives opportunities to young and beginner sailors through its variety of classes. And for the first time, SSC will be including a Windsurfing division with a male and female class for RS:One and RSX. This will help prepare not only our athletes for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games at the end of next year, but also train our race officials, and the preparation of equipments and race venues. There will definitely be a lot of excitement on the water as our top sailors compete with the some of the best sailors in the world.
This 6-day event will attract many local and foreign, amateur and professional sailing enthusiasts as well as non-sailors alike to the most competitive and exciting world of yacht racing in the country with among the best sailors around the globe. It hopes to encourage every Filipino to know more information about the sport as well as the Philippine’s maritime industry and hopefully encourage more people to explore our maritime roots.