With winds ranging from 20 to 35 knots northeast winds on January 24-25 weekend, 45 entries in 6 classes gathered for the 13th annual Club Punta Fuego Regatta held in scenic Nagusbu, Batangas, 100 kilometres from Manila. The Punta Fuego regatta set just before the Subic-Boracay and Boracay Cup regatta scheduled for late February, is the first major regatta in the Philippine sailing calendar. The traditional 14 nautical mile Fortune Island race on the first day of racing was not undertaken for safety reasons by international race officer Jerry Rollin. There was concern over the difficulty to monitor and rescue the relatively large number of Hobie 16 and Hobie getaways in the open seas with winds gusting over 35 knots. The fleet instead raced the same distance north and south along the picturesque Batangas coast rounding several islands for the morning race. A lunch prepared at the club’s Terrazas de Punta Fuego facility, a seaside beach destination 3 nautical miles away from the marina, revitalised the sailors from the morning’s draining race. A windward leeward for some and a race back to Punta Fuego Yacht Club completed the racing for the first day. Jude Echauz’s TP’52, Centennial 3 and Martin Tanco’s Sydney 46, Centennial 2 battled to take the top two positions respectively in the keel boat class, while Mike Ngu and Boyet Magsanay took the top position in the Hobie 16 class despite capsizing several times to win the gruelling first race. The second day of racing saw the winds drop 10 knots to a respectable 20 knots and after a difficult race the previous day, a combination of windward leewards and island passage races completed the perfect weekend of racing for all classes. Highlight of the regatta was the first time participation of 5 ocean catamarans between 40ft-50ft with most reaching record speeds for their skippers. Robin Wyatt’s, Lagoon 500, Double Trouble took home 3 bullets to win the multihull class. As is the first day, Ernesto Echauz continued with a perfect score to win the keel boat and Mike Ngu and Boyet Magsanay taking the Hobie 16 class win, with both adding their names on the perpetual trophy of the13th edition of the Punta Fuego Regatta.
Keel Boat:
1. Ernesto Echauz- Centennial 3
2. Martin Tanco- Centennial 2
3. David Wheeler- Freewheeler
Ocean Multihull:
1. Robin Wyatt- Double Trouble
2. Tony Ang- Mee Mee
3. Jack Po- Floy
Hobie 16:
1. Mike Ngu / Boyet Magsanay
2. Maria Hagedorn / Joey Hagedorn
3. Denise Cruz / Arnel Ornales
Hobie Getaway:
1. Eddie Legarda / Edwin Lucero
2. Jojo Silverio / Santi Picornell
3. Philip Hagedorn / Cons Castaneda
Open Dinghy;
1. Harry Kim Lumapas- Laser
2. Roel Batlagan- Laser
3. Edgar Villapana / Jeanson Lumapas- 420
Optimist:
1. John Parales
2. Morris Madlos
3. Daven Balanque
Club Punta Fuego is a premiere membership resort club located on Peninsula de Punta Fuego on the pristine coast of Nasugbu, Batangas. It is a first class recreation facility offering services and amenities comparable only to the best resorts and hotels in the world.
This tranquil and secluded resort is only 2.5 hours away from Manila via two major routes: (1) the new Ternate-Nasugbu Highway in Cavite or (2) South Luzon Expressway via Tagaytay. Being this easily accessible makes the Club ideal for quick holiday weekend trips, business outings, or family getaways.
Inspired by Fisher Island in Miami, Florida, development of the property began in 1995 as Roxaco Land Corporation and Landco Pacific Corporation partnered to create a Spanish-Mediterranean style residential resort that masterfully combines natural beauty and modern luxury. Club Punta Fuego soon opened its doors as a fully operational private enclave under the management of Fuego Hotels and Properties.
Aside from the main Club, the company also created the neighbouring Terrazas de Punta Fuego, an extraordinary leisure destinations that can be reached by car within 15 minutes.
Whether it’s taking in some watersports action, sailing the open waters, or unwinding in a calm environment, Club Punta Fuego is a leisure haven that guarantees resort club pleasure while fully enjoying the view of the coast.
Punta Fuego Yacht Club has 30 berths and 200-trailer parking area ensures that members have all the necessary amenities, including locker and shower rooms, a chart room, chandlery, and a fuel station. In addition, exciting watersports activities await plus our own restaurant and bar.
Punta Fuego Yacht Club is the host of the annual Punta Fuego Regatta which is on its 13th year, scheduled in late January over two days when the northeast winds pick-up and fair weather signal the start of of the sailing season. The regatta format is open to multiple classes of sailboats such as keelboats, ocean multihulls and one class design Hobie cats and dinghies. Depending on the class, courses range from the traditional 14 nautical mile race to Fortune island, other island passages and windward leewards.
A new addition to the sailing program of the club is the monthly Sailing Championship Series- Hobie Getaway Class scheduled on the last Saturday of the month. The popularity of the Hobie Getaway in the area has seen the fleet increase to 15 boats. After organising the sailing series, the club also plans to introduce a junior and adult sailing program to promote the sport and increase social and family activities at the marina.
Punta Fuego Yacht Club also offers access to Club Punta Fuego’s casitas, function rooms, restaurants, golf course, spa, and many more services.
Punta Fuego Yacht Club coordinates:
Flashing White Light : N14 07.844 E120 35.291 PFYC
Flashing Green Light : N14 07.786 E120 35.392 Marina Inlet
Marina Office Hours : 0800hrs to 1700hrs
Contact Numbers : (043)7290182 or 09175111616 VHF Channel 72
http://clubpuntafuego.com.ph
