Foxy Lady 4 tops IRC Racing Class

AKLAN, Philippines – Singapore entry Foxy Lady 4, skippered by Canadian William Bremner, unveiled an impressive maiden racing voyage when it ruled the IRC Racing Class yesterday at the culmination of the 2009 the Standard Insurance-Lexus-Smart Infinity Manila to Boracay Regatta that culminated in the windy paradise of Boracay Island here.

Foxy Lady, a Transpac 52 Davidson sail boat, finished ahead of RP bet Karakoa skippered by Ray Ordaveza submitting a corrected time of 32 hours, 53 minutes, 17 seconds to rule the first of the twin regatta event also supported by San Miguel, Watercraft Ventures, Tanduay Rhum, Zegna, Guerlain, Seair, Neil Pryde, Pepsi, Gatorade, Summit Mineral Water and Media partners Asia- Pacific Boating, Fragrant Harbour, Manila Bulletin, Lifestyle Asia and Calibre Billionaire.

Bremner, VP for marketing of Orange Business Service, sailed with his wife Janis, along with a crew of five Singaporean national sailors and two Filipinos.

“We initially had a good start but we got slammed out as we were sandwiched by Jelik and Ffreefire,” Bremner said, referring to defending champion Jelik, skippered by Frank Pong.

“This race initially looked easy but with number of tactical options available that made it very surprising plus the destination (Boracay) is fantastic,” he added.

Karakoa finished second with a corrected time of 33:21:29 and in third is Ffreefire 52 in 34:00:09.

The Philippines dominated the IRC 1 class behind Filipino X-452 Challenge, skippered by Martin Tanco.

The Filipino X-452 Challenge, backed-up by an 11-male, one-female crew, registered a corrected time of 42:39:20, crediting victory to sheer determination, extensive preparations and a lot of luck.

“The crew has been working together for over 6 years now and with a bit of luck, the team seems to be beginning to gel well together” Tanco said.

Coming in second is Hongkong Boat Jaywalker of Paul Bankowski with 45:37:52 while Team Windshear-Rudy project headed by George Hackett checked in third with 46:33:35.

These competing yachts will start a new campaign in the 17th President’s Cup today.

Sharing the limelight was China Rose, skippered by Michael Rauber. China Rose emerged the PY Class Winner after clocking 64 hours, 12 minutes and 33 seconds to turn back Rapparee XXX, skippered by David McKenna who finished the race in 64:50:59. Slalom Glade, under the stewardship of Goran Rudelius wound up third with 70:18:31

For more information: www.manilayachtclub.org / www.standard-insurance/sailing or call Zest Asia at 8177316.