2009 Standard Insurance - Lexus - Smart Infinity
Manila to Boracay Race
AY Race Report 3

Slow race coming to a conclusion
As the 200NM course was along the outer fringes of a broad low pressure system, the resultant scattered rain storms and shifty wind conditions left the bulk of the fleet at sea for a second night and struggling to reach Boracay in under 48 hours. Most skippers have stories where they were up with the leading boats in the early stages but a storm came across and they disappeared off the radar, never to be seen again. Others experienced isolated strong tidal flows while some boats sailed past only 100 meters away. Bill Bremner claims a tactical call by Andy MacPhail to go outside of the Bacos Islands gave them the jump needed to win the race on there first outing.

In contrast Frank Pong's R/P 75 Jelik and the three TP52's Bill Bremner and Andy Cocks Foxy Lady IV, Sam Chan's Ffreefire 52, Geoff Hill's Strewth and Ray Ordoveza's Excel 53 Karakoa all had exciting rides, recording up to twenty knots on the final stretch to the Boracay finish line before the winds faded and scattered showers took hold overnight. Consequently it took another ten hours for the next boat to finish or ghost across the finish line. For the rest of the third day a trickle of boats appeared on the horizon and gingerly crossed Boracay Bay.

In the Racer/ Cruiser class only three boats have finished by midnight on the third day of racing. Paul Bankowski's Kerr 11.3 Jaywalker took line honours at 5:30 in the morning closely followed by Martin Tranco's X 452 Challenge who provisionally takes the handicap honours. George Hackett's J-35 Team Windshear Rudy Project is the last boat to finish today just before midday to claim third place. The conditions this evening looked pretty grim for the five cruiser/racers and three PY yachts still at sea for the third night. Hope they have enough food as Kentucky fried chicken and pizza boxes seemed to be in popular demand back at the Manila Yacht Club before the start.

It seems strange to be attending the President's Cup briefing and boat crew parties that are celebrating there Boracay Race wins when boats are still at sea. Perhaps the iron spinnaker will come into play over the next few hours to get tHem here in time for tomorrows practice race.

2009 Standard Insurance - Lexus - Smart Infinity
Manila to Boracay Race
AY Race Report 4

Full marks go to the determined
The early hours of the morning has become the bewitching hour on the finish boat. After a very stop and go affair Harry Taylor's S&S 36 Irresistible and Klaas Huisjes Salona 42 Ms Salona were the last racer/cruisers to finish. Jun Avecilla's Beneteau First 36.7 Selma Star also managed to finish but as they replenished there water supply were forced to retire after accepting outside assistance. Claudio Altura's J35 Vivaldi and Richard Morris Schock 35 Salina retired and scored Did Not Finish.

All three heavyweights in the PY Class must be commended as they held on to the very end despite the light conditions. Breasting the finish after nine this morning Micheal Reauber and Capt Rainer Blum's Celestial 49 China Rose may have been the last yacht to finish this year but held there time against the other two yachts to lay claim on the PY handicap honours. Goran Rudelius Contessa 35 Slalom Blade finished twenty two minutes in front of David Mc Kenna's Sun Odyssey 42 Raparee XXX but after handicaps are applied the order was reversed giving Raparee XXX second place and Slalom Blade third.

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

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 2: http://asianyachting.com/news/BoracayPC09/2.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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