The Standard Insurance Centennial 5, a Rachel Pugh 75 redesigned by multi-awarded naval architect Kevin Dibley cross the finish line last April 21st in the inaugural 650 Nautical Mile Hong Kong to Puerto Galera Race organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and setting the race record at 85h 33m 56s. Skippered by Standard Insurance Group Chairman Ernesto Echauz, the highly advanced racing yacht is the first in the sailing history that a Philippine yacht has won a line honor in ocean racing from Hong Kong to the Philippines even if the Centennial Sailing team has won several overall IRC championships in these races including the Rolex China Sea Race and the San Fernando Race. The all Filipino team are composed of current and former national athletes with the comeback of 470 SEA Games medalist Louie Perfectua who prepared the yacht together with Standard Insurance's computer engineer Stephen Tan. Aside from Perfectua, the other helms are former 470 SEA Games silver medalist and gold medalist in match racing Allan Balladares and current 470 SEA Games medalist Emerson Villena. The Standard Insurance Centennial Sailing Team who are Philippine Sailing Association's athletes and many from the Philippine Navy have included women laser sailors Alaisa Belmonte and Paula Bombeo. Ask to comment on its victory in the yacht's maiden voyage, Echauz, who is the president of Philippine Sailing Association has said, "The Standard Insurance Centennial 5 not only represents the Philippine national sailing athletes and the Philippine Navy but most of all our country the Philippines. It gives pride to our Filipino seamen and OFWs that this top Philippine sailing yacht is crewed by an all Filipino team which wins in these ocean racing regattas".
