ABW March 2024

T
he BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) Signature
Yacht Race Series is an idea whose time has come. It
was probably lurking around for quite a long while,
but it took someone with a little imagination to
make it happen. The Philippines is a nation, boasting some of
the most awesome tropical islands amongst its 7407 islands
Archipelago and the ideal place for putting together a small
collection of existing events, call it a ‘series’, and you end up
with a first-class world event.
Over the years, the Philippines has sported several firstclass
regattas and events. Like the All-Souls Regatta and
Commodores Cup and International events like the China Sea
Race have been running since the 1960s, but the Philippines
has never produced a signature sailing event of its own - until
now.
The first race in the 2024 series was the Corregidor Cup,
in November 2023, sailed out of Caylabne Bay Resort and
Marina, and taking in the historic wartime defence islands of
Corregidor, La Monja, Fort Drum, and Carabao as the racing
marks. Racing in historic waters, indeed. January 25th saw
the launch of the 8th Busuanga Cup, now the BPI Busuanga
Cup, with a 128nm race from Punta Fuego to Busuanga.
That was two days of island racing taking in some of the
most picturesque scenery of the northern Palawan Islands,
Punta Fuego looks uncomplicated on the chart. 31nms to
Golo Pass, a squeaky little strait between Golo and Lubang
Islands, and then a straight-line course southwest towards
Busuanga and the finish line at Black Island. This year
organizers split the race into four scoring segments, with
points for each stage - Punta Fuego to Golo, latitude),
another at Apo Reef, and the finish. “You never get a breeze
all the way,” said RO Jerry Rollin, confidently. “Correct’,
agreed Peter Baird owner and skipper of Lost in Asia, the
officials and racing crew’s boat. Peter has been cruising these
waters for many years and has covered this part Philippines,
in both directions, many times. This year was going to be
different.
There was a very little breeze at 7.45 am, Which had
increased to 8 knots, and the fleet was able to start at 8.00
am in bright sunshine and with colorful spinnakers hoisted.
Some wished for a little more wind, but when at sea the
wind built to 20+ knots from the northeast, and very soon
Words by BARRY DAWSON
Photographs as Credited
eries ––
o Busuanga Race43