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Our ventures took us on a rare calm sea day thru Calavite Pass, to the great relief of my able crew. That forgiving weather followed us down to a moonlit night at Apo Reef. Priam got his first shark sighting as we did a dive, then headed to one of my favorite places on earth, Busuanga Bay. Busuanga Bay will be home to the sixth running of the famed Busuanga Bay Cup Regatta. This gave us a week of solitude and exploring before the armada descended upon us. We enjoyed the two hot springs, epic wreck diving and the hospitality of Al Faro Resort and Marina Del Sol. Marina del Sol manages the moorings, arranged for our health check clearance and provided services such as refilling our drinking water, accepting packages, motorbike rental and even some shopping for us. The staff at MDS has really ramped up the services for visiting yachts. The seventeen racing boats departed Punta Fuego early morning on Febuary 17 and began the over 130 nautical mile course to Busuanga Island. The fleet had good wind for the start and raced down the Luzon coast, winding through Golo Island and across to the west side of Busuanga Island. The first boats finished in the wee hours of the 18th, as the fleet staggered in much of the day. The first boats finished in the wee hours of the 18th, as the fleet staggered in much of the day. The wind had died down forcing all to use the iron jib. The race has a formula for deducting time under engine power, as it is rare to see a boat sail all the way. The stalwart motor yacht, Lost in Asia, served as the committee boat, arriving on the scene late the night before. Assistance also came from local dive shop owner, Gunther Bernet. Words by BRIAN CALVERT Photographs as Credited 8