As the dust settles from the recently concluded Standard Insurance Subic Bay International Regatta (SBIR), there are two things that have been confirmed: Subic Bay and our Philippine Sailing Team is all set for the 30th Southeast Asian Games!
We have heard it time and time again that Subic Bay is one of the best yacht racing destinations in the country. According to the Principal Race Officer in charge of the first ever Match Racing event during the Subic Bay Cup Regatta (SBCR), Inge Strompf-Jepsen from Hong Kong, “Subic Bay is perfect. We’ve had flat waters, we’ve had quite shifty winds but that makes it more challenging to race,”. Jepsen assembled a team of experienced umpires headed by Chief Umpire Ewan McEwan from Singapore who was also very much impressed with the racing conditions here in Subic Bay and claims that “Subic Bay is the best destination for match racing in the world”.
The highlight of the SBCR was the fleet racing and match racing of the Fareast 28R boats donated by Standard Insurance to the Philippine Sailing Association. Whereas, these are also the same boats that will be used for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) to be held in Subic Bay by the end of the year. The Philippine Sailing Team has been practicing in Subic Bay since the start of the year and will continue to practice until the start of the SEAG at the end of November this year. Our race officials from the World Sailing have been very impressed with the performance of the team and according to Principal Race Officer Jepsen, “The Philippine team is really good much better than what we have expected,”
The Subic Sailing Club, an organization composed of entrepreneurs, expatriates and sports enthusiasts with a stupendous appetite for yacht racing are dedicated in supporting the Philippine Sailing Association by conducting sailing events that can attract top-notch sailors from around the world and transforming Subic Bay as the Premier Yacht Racing destination in the country.“The Subic Bay International Regatta served not only as a practice race for our Filipino athletes who will be competing in the Southeast Asian Games but also for our race officials and the venue as well,” said Jun Avecilla, Chairman of the Subic Sailing Club. “We are truly blessed to have the officials from World Sailing help us conduct the first-ever Match Racing in the country at the same time also help train our local race officers on this particular race format. A big thanks to Standard Insurance, our main supporter for sailing, for making this happen” he added.
Besides sailing, there are 14 other sports that will be held here in Subic Bay Freeport Zone this coming 30th SEA Games. It is no surprise why the Freeport was actually named as Asia’s top sports destination. Through the support of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority headed by Chairperson and Administrator Atty. Wilma “Amy” Eisma together with the help of Congressman Ricky Sandoval, co-chairman of the Subic Sailing Club and a very active leader who has been very supportive and done many things for the growth of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the sport of sailing in Subic Bay will continue to flourish and will give pride to our country as we continue our legacy as a Maritime Nation.
This event was organized by the Subic Sailing Club and Philippine Sailing Association in partnership with Standard Insurance in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Yacht Club, and Watercraft Ventures. Sponsored by Tanduay, Nanofixit, Broadwater Marine. Supported by National Coast Watch Secretariat, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Tourism, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Subic Bay Hotels, Attraction and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board, Municipal of Olongapo, and Province of Zambales.
More photos will be linked in this article very soon. For inquiries on how to be part of our races, please email us at contact@subicsailing.com.
Are you interested to join the Chairman's Cup Regatta on April 25-30? Please view or download the Notice of Race and Entry Form here.
