IN A REGATTA dominated by unpredictable wind conditions, Captain Napoleon, sailing two-handed, mastered the conditions to win the Cruising Class in the recent Punta Fuego to Busuanga Race.
Helmed by Napoleon Padarakis, the boat clocked an elapsed time of 32:16:13 to edge Makani Loa and Freewheler, which settled for second and third places, respectively.
The 135-nautical mile regatta, which ran from Nasugbu to northern Palawan, attracted its largest fleet so far with 17 sailing and two motor yachts from Punta Fuego, Manila, Puerto Galera and Subic Bay yacht clubs.
Sponsored by Club Punta Fuego, Busuanga Bay Lodge, and supported by Broadwater Marine, Marina Del Sol Resort & Yacht Club, Anya Resort, Acea Subic Bay, Dusit Thani Hotel, and Air Juan, the event is organized by the Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Federation (Phinsaf) which seeks to put the archipelago on the world’s sailing map and promote sports tourism.
Now on its third edition, the unique race allows boats to start at any time based on their navigators’ best estimate of the wind conditions. Early finishing times were made for the Cruising Class which has the option to transfer to the Cruising or Motoring class, whose times are multiplied by 1.5 to achieve an expanded total elapsed time and give the slower cruising boats a fair chance.
The early starters benefitted from a 6-knot northeasterly rising to 15 knots as they crossed the Calavite Passage and fading again as they entered the wind shadow of Mindoro Occidental. The passage is known for merciless winds and steep waves which many sailors dread.
Meanwhile, Sole Leopard 40 Cariño of Monchu Garcia triumphed in the Ocean Multihull Class with an elapsed time of 34:27:3, outracing runners-up Mi Rosa and Winbell.
Rounding up the winning circle is Selma Star of Subic Lighthouse Marina Resort led by Jun Avecilla which topped the elite International Rating Certificate (IRC) Class for the second year in a row with a time of 29:43:01, besting elite racers Bellatrix and Sabad, which won second and third places, respectively.
