Last time we competed in this regatta in 2007 the venue lived up to its reputation as an awesome place to sail and this time was no different. With winds about 12-20kn, flat water, beautiful sunshine and the famous friendly hospitality of the Filipinos competitors couldn't fail to have a good time.
One of the strongest fleets this year in Asia turned out including three tp52s, Jelik, Karakoa, Subic Centennial, Ambush and Full Metal Jacket. The local boats Karakoa and Subic Centennial are always strong competitors here and along with Jelik have won this regatta over the last four years.
Race 1 was a passage race with a long beat and long run followed by a short reach back to the finish line off the idyllic leeward side of Boracay island. Jelik stretched out and we ended up with a second behind Frank Pong's team on handicap.
Day 2 was two windward leewards. Despite having 4 people in our crew sick with a mystery virus and our bowman being in hospital for the day we managed to get around the track ok and we were happy to come away with a close second and a fourth. It was hectic racing with short legs and 3 complete laps putting a premium on clean crew work. We had some great starts and stayed out of trouble away from the chasing tp52s. All in all a great days racing.
Day 3 and another passage race this time a slightly different course with a lot more reaching. We had a difficult start and got involved in a dubious port and starboard incident with Foxy Lady resulting in us having to do a 720. Despite this we still rounded just behind the other tp52s and set about overtaking them along the leeward side of Boracay. We managed to pass everyone except Ffree Fire and went on the wind. With some committed hiking from the team we were soon in our usual spot of second on the water behind Jelik and set up for some reaching, hoisting our genoa staysail.
On the long reach back on the windward side of Boracay we managed to stretch out from the other boats and after a short kite run to the finish it was another win for Hi Fi.
Day 4 dawned extremely wet. The beaches were empty as we headed out to the boat. The race committee sensibly delayed the start and after the rain cleared we had another two great windward leewards in 15-18kn winds. Some of the teams had boathandling issues in the stronger breezes, but Hi Fi managed to come through unscathed and we scored another couple of good results to take out the President's Cup for 2009.
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