A dozen yachts faced challenging conditions as they sailed from Subic to Boracay in the 2026 BPI Boracay 200 regatta, covering a 370-kilometer offshore route.
Sailors contended with shifting winds, strong swells, and choppy seas that required constant adjustments, making the race as much a test of skill and endurance as of speed.
The event forms part of the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series, which has grown into a key competition for regional sailors and a platform for promoting offshore sailing in the Philippines.
Regatta chair Andy Aguila noted that the series has expanded in scope, attracting new entrants and elevating the competition while helping strengthen the local sailing community.
This year, two teams from Hong Kong joined, signaling growing international interest and highlighting the Philippines as an emerging destination for offshore racing.
The Excel 53 yacht Karakoa dominated the regatta, winning Line Honors, IRC Class Overall, and Overall Winner. The vessel was helmed by Ray and Francis Ordoveza, who executed a disciplined and consistent strategy throughout the event.
Other class winners included Glory, a Hong Kong-based yacht, which led the Cruising Class, and Maelie, a 48-foot multihull skippered by Romain Barberis, which topped the Ocean Multihull Class.
The series also emphasizes marine conservation under the theme “Do More for the Philippine Seas,” in partnership with WWF-Philippines, highlighting the importance of protecting ecosystems that sustain communities and livelihoods.
