By AsianYachting MultiMedia
25:02:2018 Subic Bay, Philippines: All race it was a nip and tuck affair, between Geoff Hill's Smith 72 Antipodes and Ernesto Echauz's TP 52 Standard Insurance Centennial III. After a quick exit from Subic Bay, Antipodes caught up with Centennial III in the wind shadow of the Bataan Mountain Range, then battled it out all the way down to the Verde Passage. Antipodes led around Verde Island and extended on the return leg. Taking an inshore course on the return leg slowed Antipodes and by morning were within Centennial III's sight. Capture the action in the AY Photo Gallery
Once again the wind shadow of the Bataan Mountain Range played its part and this time favoured Centennial III to take a small lead. Antipodes fought back and crossed the finish line at the entrance to Subic Bay at 10:54:09, to set an inaugural race record of 22:54:09 and exactly two minutes in front of Centennial III. The places are reversed in the IRC 1 handicap stakes and the waiting game began.
Just short of three hours latter, Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns Sydney GTS 43 Otonomos Mandrake III crossed the finish line to claim line honours in the IRC 2 class and the Overall IRC title by 16 minutes from Echauz's Standard Insurance Centennial III. All skippers have expressed how difficult the race was and the wait continued into the late afternoon for Ray Ordoveza's Excel 53 Karakoa to slot into 3rd place in the IRC 1 class.
Bobby Benares Beneteau 44.7 Sabad could not improve on Mandrake III's corrected time and ended up in 2nd place in the IRC 2 class. Another long wait for Jun Avecilla's Beneteau First 36.7 Selma Star skippered by Sean Mitchell to round out in 3rd place in the IRC 2 class.
Stephen Wu Shifu's Oceanis 45 Asia Pacific Sailing were the only finisher in the Cruising Class.
Several unfortunate equipment breakages, caused retirements for Michael Raueber's Oceanis 46 Emocean with a damaged mainsail, Li Jian's Advance 80 Apsaras with headsail and spinnaker damage, plus George Hackett's Mills 43 custom Misty Mountain did not make it to the start line. Hopefully repairs can be carried out in time for the Subic Bay Cup starting on Tuesday.
The Regatta Organising Authority is Subic Sailing, under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association and in conjunction with Watercraft Ventures, Inc., the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Philippine Coast Guard and backed by Tanduay Rum, Pepsi-Cola, Broadwater Marine, Nano Fixit and JC.