Well a great weekend of sailing with the 25nm course proving to be very difficult in the prevailing conditions.
Five yachts contested the event with Jun Avecilla's Selma Star turning in an outstanding performance, leading both races for line and handicap honours.
Saturday May 3 saw a great start off from the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic Bay into a slight southerly breeze beating out past Grande Island and past Los Frailes Island until Reachers could be hoisted for the rewach down to Capones Islands. Selma Star led the way followed closely by Selma(Peter Sharpe) followed by Punta de Uian (Ales Sarapion), Saipin (Jelle Mann) and Cocobolo (Ton van Hierden).
The wind eased off once passing Los Frailes and the yachts settled down to follow the leader Selma Star that opted to take a more seaward course than Selma, Saipin and Cocobolo. The wind faded badly to near zero nearing Capones Islands with Selma Star staying out to sea, passing the islands to starboard to finish in near calm conditions.
Cocobolo and Saipin decided that they could not finish within the time limit, motored up the coast to anchor off Punta d Uian Resort at Pundaquit, leaving SElma and Punta de Uian to fight it out for second and third places. Punta de Uian elected to stay seawards while Selma went inside the islands passing into wind shadows by doing so.
Punta de Uian crossed the finish line a few minutes ahead of Selma for a well deserved second place after a long and arduous race.
On a humorous side, after motoring in to the anchoring position, Selma dropped the anchor only to find that the warp was not attached to the chain! Hoho, luckily in only 16 feet of water where crew could easily retrieve the item to fasten same to the warp and
boat!
Rolly Gipulan and staff of Punta de Uian Resort again excelled in their hospitality, providing sumptious fare and refreshments accompanied by a disco band on the seashore. A really great way to finish of that leg of the event.
Sunday morning 4th May after a great breakfast, we elected to start the two Beneteau 42's one hour earlier than the other yachts, briefing for a possible shortened course off Grande Island in case the wind dropped again for the race home.
The one hour start assisted Saipin and Cocobolo to put a bit of distance against the other yachts as it took quite some hours to catch and pass them on the home run.