2009 Standard Insurance - Lexus - Smart Infinity
Manila to Boracay Race
AY Race Report 2

Weather system plays havoc with sailors
Remnants of Tropical Depression BISING tracked northward into the Central Philippine Sea and despite the weakening condition, its broad circulation bought scattered rain and thunderstorms across parts of the Visayas & Bicol Regions. The leading yachts made good progress after the start and were approaching the Verde Passage by nightfall. This was where the race turned into a lottery with extended calms hampering the leading yachts which allowed the 52 footers to sail up, close the gap and engage in a stop and go tussle. Amidst the scattered showers this was where the race was won or lost depending were the yachts positioned themselves.

Once exiting the Verde Passage the northerly breeze kept veering around to the east which saw the racers take off downwind on the 100NM slide to Boracay. Unfortunately the smaller boats in the Racer/Cruiser Class had trouble exiting the Verde Passage and many remained there for most of the morning.

Despite all this Frank Pong's R/P 75 Jelik breasted the finish line in 23 hrs 49 mins 27 secs to win the Standard Insurance trophy for line honors. This falls well short of the race record time of 19 hrs 00 mins 6 secs that they set last year. Following close behind Bill Bremner and Andy Cocks TP52 Foxy Lady IV finished 41 minutes latter to provisionally hold onto the overall handicap honours.

A procession of TP 52's followed within an hour of Foxy Lady IV with Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52 skippered by Russ Parker next to arrive and Geoff Hill's Strewth only seven minutes latter. After a couple of hours Ray Ordoveza's Excel 53 Karakoa expertly helmed by Steve Benjamin appeared on the horizon to provisionally take second place overall. Ffreefire 52 and Strewth fill third and fourth spots relegating Jelik down to fifth place.

The long waiting game has started and as of 10:00 pm no other boats have finished and light rainfall and no wind has descended on Boracay. It looks like another long night at sea for the remaining seventeen competitors to consider there options. The Kellet Island trophy for the overall title could well have been decided in the first 100 miles of the race. Time will tell.

Boracay Race & Presidents Cup Photo Gallery at: http://asianyachting.com/photos/photo.htm?BoracayPC09

Online Manila to Boracay - AY Race Reports with photos can be accessed from:
Race Report 3 & Results: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/3.htm
Race Report 1: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/1.htm
Pre-Race Report: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/0.htm

Online President's Cup - AY Race Reports with photos can be accessed from:
Race Report 4 & Summary, Overall Results: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/8.htm
Race Report 3: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/7.htm
Race Report 2: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/6.htm
Race Report 1: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/5.htm
Pre-Race Report: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/4.htm

AY Race Reports are proudly sponsored by the following advertisers.

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