Not so long ago the Boracay Cup was an event that attracted not only local boats, but also visitors from Hong Kong and Australia.

Boracay is one of those happy places that look just like they do in the brochure, and delivers first class sailing conditions day after day after day.

The event has traditionally started with a 200nm race through the islands from Subic Bay to Boracay. This year’s SIs prescribed the course as “Start near The Lighthouse (in Subic Bay) – Grande Island to port – finish”, so while ‘Mindoro to port’ is an option although nobody has ever tried that route.

In 2018 the Philippines Government decided that the sheer volume of tourism was killing Boracay (it was) and so took the drastic step of ‘closing’ the island for six months. After that came Covid, and we all know what that meant.

The recently inaugurated BPI Signature Yacht Race Series includes the ‘Boracay 200’ in the programme. 200nm from Subic to Boracay, followed by three days of inshore racing in the delightful environs of what has often been described as “#1 island in the Philippines”. The long race from Subic ran pretty much to form as long as Grande Island was left to port. Pick up the strong breeze out of Begat, ditto Manila Bay, and hurry on down past Punta Fuego and the Nasugbu coast. Those who went offshore after the start in search of stronger breeze were disappointed, and only caught up with the ‘inshore’ boats at Cape Santiago. Then it was an upwind bash past Marikaban and Verde Island in the Verde Passage, before bearing away at Calapan where the wind took a holiday until boats were abeam Mount Dumali. After that it was “a good run” down the Tablas Strait to a finish line on the west side of Boracay. Just over 200nm for the trip.

A grand celebration party at the Sea Wind Resort was just what the fleet needed after that. Live entertainment, round-up videos of the preceding events of the BPI Signature Yacht Race Series – Corregidor Cup and Busuanga Cup – good food and copious refreshments. A perfect prep for three days of inshore racing to follow.

The fleet anchors inside the southern end of the reef that protects Boracay’s beautiful White Beach, and it’s a water taxi ride out from Station 3. Racing takes place in the open space to the west of the island. Windward-leeward courses for the most part, with big rectangles or triangles added for a bit of variety. There used to be a race around Carabao Island and back (25nm) and another around Boracay itself (12nm), but apparently Carabao is in a different Coast Guard division and so ‘special permission’ is required, and the advent of huge cruise ships parking in the Caticlan Strait (not to mention the continuous cross-strait ferry traffic) makes the authorities a little edgy, so ‘Around Boracay’ is off the menu, too. This is a shame. This location is a gem, both on and off the water, and the wind is as reliable as the German railways, so all that’s missing is a little variety in the racing. Fingers crossed that the organisers can make something happen for 2025.

Two races per day for three days was enough for everyone when there was never less than 20kts of breeze on offer from 060 degrees. Being west of Boracay meant that the water had plenty of chop to keep things interesting, but no swell. Conditions were such that several boats reefed down and opted for no-spinnaker runs. After each day’s crash-and-bash it was good to wind up with a stroll along the beach path where the whole island seems to turn out for a passeggiata and watch the sun drop into the Sulu Sea – everyone except those joy riding on the small, fast, local bangkas and watching the sunset.

After the long race and three days’ inshores, the score sheet looked like this:

IRC Racing 1. Selma Star 1.5, 2, 2, 4, 3, 4, 2 (18.5) 2. Misty Mountain 4.5, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1 (19.5) 3. Belatrix 6, 7, 4, 1, 1, 2, 4 (25) 4. Hurricane Hunter 8.25, 3, 5, 5, 4, 3, 3 (31.25) 5. Karakoa 8.25, 4, 1, 3, 2, 7, 7 (32.25) 6. Sabad 3, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7 (45)

Cruising Class 1. Wild Honey 3, 2.5, 1, 1 (7.5) 2. Columbus 4.5, 1, 2, 2 (9.5) 3. Lady May 1.5, 2.5, 4. 3 (11)

The BPI Signature Yacht Race Series consists of four top quality events – the Corregidor Cup, the Busuanga Cup, the Boracay 200, and the Subic Bay Regatta. That’s a total of two long races and 15 inshores so far, with one event remaining. The Subic Bay Regatta will take place 02-06 April, immediately after the Rolex China Sea Race fleet arrives in Subic, and consists of four days of windward/leeward and longer course races. Boats coming off the race from Hong Kong are of course welcome to join in – there’s one entry already.

It’s tight at the top of the Series scoresheet, with Ray Ordoveza’s Karakoa and Jun Villanueva’s Belatrix tied on 7 points from the three regattas. Karakoa leads on countback with regatta scores of 1, 1, 5, against Belatrix with 2, 2, 3, making for an interesting opening to proceedings in Subic next month.

It’s been a great series so far, and BPI have plenty to celebrate. The Philippines’ sailing scene has been dormant for a number of years, mostly on account of Covid. At the launch party last November someone said, “I think we’ve forgotten how to do regattas, it’s been so long.” The BPI Signature Regatta Series has roused the sailors from their slumber, with three events (so far) in pristine, picturesque, (and wind-blown!) locations that are just made for sailing and for celebrating a little sailing camaraderie when the sun goes down. And now everyone is looking forward to the Subic Bay Regatta. See you at The Lighthouse!

by Guy Nowell