12.30pm February 20, 2025
3 Hours Report: Three hours into the BPI Boracay 200 Race the fleet is currently enjoying very good conditions for a fast race, probably breaking last year’s record, and possibly breaking the course record of a little less than 20 hours (set in 2016).
The race started with the twelve entries (6 x IRC yachts, 4 x Cruising Class and 2 x Ocean Multihull) starting together off the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic Bay.
First out of Subic Bay, past Grande Island was, PGYC member, Ray Ordoveza’s ‘Karakoa’, skippered by his son Francis, with an average of just over 10 knots boat speed during the first 30 minutes, all enjoying the 13+ knots of easterly breeze.
At the 3-hour mark, in the race for Line Honors, ‘Karakoa’, still averaging 9.9 knots, was just overtaken by the catamaran ‘Maelie’, with ‘Belatrix’ hot on their transoms.
In IRC class we currently have 1st Ray Ordoveza’s ‘Karakoa’ followed by her long-time nemesis Jun Villanueva’s ‘Belatrix’ in 2nd and, new to the fleet, James Villareal’s ‘Raw Honey’ in 3rd.
In Cruising class PGYC Member Richard McGonegal’s ‘Neptunus III’ is in 1st place followed by PGYC Member John Quirk’s ‘Allusive’ in 2nd place and Padlum Lobregat’s ‘Despacito’ in 3rd place.
In Ocean Multihulls Romain Barberis’s catamaran ‘Maelie’ leads a long way ahead of Monchu Garcia’s catamaran ‘Carino’.
With the fleet now approaching the wind shadow off the Mariveles volcano navigation tactics will come into play before they enjoy the blast of easterly breeze out of Manila Bay.
For more information about the BPI Boracay 200 Race or the upcoming PGYC Easter Regatta 2025please contact the Puerto Galera Yacht Club at clubhouse@pgyc.org or call 09175205874.