17th President's Cup 2009
AY Race Report 3

Time is running out to make the move...
On the penultimate day of racing, a point to point or passage race was selected for the whole fleet which is make or break day for scoring podium places in the three classes. The racing class embarked on a 30 NM course which takes them on a figure eight around Carabao and Boracay Islands. Twenty five miles for the racer/cruisers takes them around a mark laid off the Cabalian Banks before completing a circumnavigation of Boracay. The PY class are on a slightly shorter 18NM course up to a mark laid off Carabao then around Boracay. The relentless North Easterly has more East in it than North but has produced some exceptionally close racing, especially amongst the TP52's that may have concentrated on their match up instead of racing the fleet.

Frank Pong's R/P 75 Jelik was the first boat to enter the busy Caticlan Passage between Boracay and Panay Islands where the local bangkas constantly ferry people from the airport to Boracay. Unfortunately they were not far enough in front of Neil Pryde's Welbourne 52 Hi Fi who remarkably recovered well after doing two 360 degree turns on the first windward beat and rounded the top mark in last place to somehow go on and take the handicap honours. Geoff Hill's mainsail on Strewth parted company and forced them into retirement. Once again Steve Benjamin nailed the start on Ray Ordoveza's Excel 53 Karakoa and after a superb first beat went on to claim second place. Ernesto Echauz's defending champion Sydney 46 Centennial helmed by Aussie Jamie Wilmot narrowly slotted into third place and will have to win both races tomorrow to defend the title. Karakoa maintains a one point lead over Hi Fi but when the drop race comes into play they will be tied on the top of the leaderboard. While they fight it out for first place on present calculations Centennial and Jelik may well be tussling over third place but as we all know - anything can happen and usually does on the final day.

In the Racer/Cruiser class three wins out of four races for George Hackett's defending champion J-35 Team Windshear Rudy Project puts them firmly on top of the overall leader board and very likely to retain the title. After being disqualified yesterday Martin Tranco's X 452 Challenge rebounded today with second place and a chance at third place on the podium. Claudio Altura's J-35 Vivaldi has been living in the shadow of her sister ship on top of the table but third place will give the crew a good confidence boost. Despite surviving a remarkable port start Paul Bankowski's Kerr 11.3 Jaywalker fell of the pace and by finishing fifth retains overall second place but will have to go all out to over take Team Windshear. Fourth place for Allen Burrell's Farr 1104 Rags has them maintaining third overall but will have to watch their back as there is a hungry chasing pack ready to dislodge them.

Two wins in a row for Jelle Mann's Oceanic 44 Saipin puts them on the top of the PY class table. After their Race 1 win David Mc Kenna's Sun Odyssey 42 Raparee XXX has consistently scored second places to hold onto second overall. Third place for David Wheeler's Freewheeler from the UK has them holding third overall in the three boat class.

Tomorrow is the final day of racing when the Racing Class and Racer/Cruisers will be going head to head on two windward/leeward courses to complete the series. The PY class will be doing a fourth point to point course on there daily race program.

Sailor chick of the regatta competition.
The girls are rapidly warming up for the competition and coming out in full splendor, then calling the media boat over for the photo opportunity. Paul Bankowski's crew Rona Martins (In red bikini) on his Kerr 11.3 Jaywalker is not to shy and always ready to shake it all about. Amazingly they have also won races and holding second overall in the Racer / Cruiser class. When do they get the time? The prize for the overall winner is a free pair of AY Gloves which will be announced after the event when the Photo Gallery is posted.

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

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

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

AY Race Reports are proudly sponsored by the following advertisers.

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