President's Cup Regatta on TV

The recently well attended 15th President's Cup Regatta held in beautiful Boracay will be on Living Asia Channel:

16Sept. 1730hrs
17Sept. 0130, 0930, 1430, 2230hrs

18Sept. 0630 & 0730
19Sept. 0330, 1130, 1630
20Sept. 0030, 0830, 1330, 2130

21Sept. 0530, 0630
22Sept. 0230, 1030, 1530, 2330

23Sept. 0730hrs
Channel 99 on Sky Cable.

Yellow Vespa SS180

Don't really know what show this is in Japan but it makes me want to have a yellow Vespa. Yep! A yellow SS180 would be perfect for me. :)
Apparently it's an animation and is called FLCL. Don't ask me what it means. :)

Sail the Wolrd

Thousands of sailors celebrated last weekend, September 1 & 2, 2007, one hundred years of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). It was encouraged that sailors from all levels, clubs, classes and associations all over the world come out on the water to honor the occasion. Pretty straightforward idea of a global party, isn’t it?

In the Philippines, several yacht clubs have signified to join in the celebration. One notable inland club was Taal Lake Yacht Club where I went to give my support. It was fun sailing indeed. A number of Hobie 16s, Toppers, A Hobie Bravo and of course my 2 Streakers sailed along the lakeshore of Talisay, the general plan. Then we all rounded Tin Can, the club’s rescue boat, with Cherry and Hermie strategically placed onboard to take pictures of this momentous occasion. Oh and Gaucho the dog was onboard too. It was very nice to see old friends and meet new sailors. I enjoyed eating the food of Doc Susan Cruz, again.

Many thanks to Peter Capotosto and Joe Hagedorn for organizing this memorable occasion for us. Here are more pictures taken on the water. Enjoy!

Volcano within the volcano, the backdrop of Hope, Peter and Noel, on thier Topper, H16 and H.Bravo.

Hermie steering clear off of my racing mode pose. mwehehe Thank you Cherry Pinpin for the cool shots. More pics here

Crazy Cool Song on Sailing

Click it here, Matie!

ITALY in, USA out! SPAIN hangs on KIWI.

Race 6 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semis endS with ITALY's LUNA ROSSA CHALLENGE throwing out USA's only hope BMW ORACLE RACING. While cup host, Valencia's favorite DESAFIO ESPANIOL 2007 pulls a second upset to EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND and maybe do a hat trick and win 3 more to buy a ticket to the final.

Luna Rossa dominated the series with rounding all the marks ahead of the US team on all the 6 races. This means a lot for any racing team. The Spaniards are also consistent in a sense that they have been winning all their races during the weekend. Being true to their nickname "weekend warriors". They however trail the NZ 4 to 2 points.


I prefer that the Kiwis meet with Italy on the final. It'll be like the remake of the 2000 America's Cup defense. Only this time the Latinos seem to be stronger...

Looks like the Italians vs Kiwis in the Final

After five races each in the semis, it appears the Italian-Luna Rossa Challenge and Kiwi-Emirates Team New Zealand are dominating the best of nine series of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Follow the live audio feed and internet TV tonight (Manila time) to find out if it's the last race for BMW Oracle Racing and Desafio Espaniol. Or can they take the semis all the way to race 9 to upset the leaders?


Spectacular boat handling by the Italians! Here you'll see BMW Oracle Racing just before they hit there transom on Luna Rossa Challenge's side getting penalty number 2.

BMW ORACLE Racing and Desafío Español must win their next four races if they hope to advance to the Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup. That’s the grim reality facing both teams after they lost their matches on Saturday on the waters off Valencia, in front of an enormous weekend spectator fleet.

The Italian Luna Rossa Challenge came into today’s match having led BMW ORACLE Racing at every turning mark in their four contests to day. Under pressure to strike early, the skipper of the American team, Chris Dickson, found himself in trouble during the pre-start, eventually taking two penalties. With such a big disadvantage coming off the starting line, the American team could never get back into the race and Luna Rossa streaked to the win and a 4-1 series lead.

In the other match, Emirates Team New Zealand came off the starting line later and slower than Desafío Español. But a small right hand shift allowed the Kiwis to get their nose in front and they extended from there. The Emirates team leads the series 4-1.

The first team to win five races in each series will advance to the Final. Racing continues on Sunday.

More details here.

Final Four

Next week four remaining teams of the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenge will battle it out on the water where it counts. Two match sets of best of nine will decide who will be in the finals. The winner will have the right to challenge the America's Cup current holder Team Alinghi.

Emirates Team New Zealand skippered by Dean Barker vs Desafio Espaniol 2007 with world number 1 ranked helmsman Karol Jablonski. On the other course are BMW Oracle Racing with skipper Chris Dickson vs Luna Rossa Challenge with Francesco De Angelis behind te wheel of this Italian boat.

I just wish they show this on Philippine cable TV. Damn!

Scooer Safety Reminder

This is just a safety reminder.


The video below was of last year. But just last week, another good friend of mine on a PX200 fell and injured himself seriously on Shaw Blvd. Ingats guys.

It begins today

The match-race challenge to the 32nd America's Cup defence begins today. A prequel, actually the Louis Vuitton Cup Act 13, starts for the first time since 1852, with a fleet regatta. It will however resume to the terific match racing round robin in 16 April 2007. He're a few words from the huge link below...

"Racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup begins on Monday afternoon, with the first warning signal scheduled to fire at 14:05. 11 challengers from nine countries are racing for the right to battle Alinghi in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. On Saturday, the 11 skippers, along with Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the organising body of the 32nd America’s Cup and Yves Carcelle, the President and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier, sat down with the media at the opening press conference.

Michel Bonnefous spoke of the success of the four-year programme of racing, with 13 Louis Vuitton Acts, which is a prominent feature of this 32nd America’s Cup. He said the event is expecting to welcome visitor number 2-million over this weekend preceding the Louis Vuitton Cup."

Pump up, big racing is about to begin.

Eye Popping Race Photos

Catch Avery Datol's pro shots of the last Manila to Boracay Race and The President's Cup Regatta. Sailors caught in a squall on the first day.

That's me, 2nd from right, cranking up the jibsail during a tack. Nice shot Avery.


Set at new venue, this regatta make hardcore sailors, who are usually grumpy after loosing a day's race, happy and somehow mezmerised at the tranquil beauty of the powder white sand beach and the laid back atmosphere of the island. No other regatta has this formulla. The organizers should take well note of the big potential of this unique sporting event.

Vespa sa Bora

This is Paulo. Boracay based, Italian and rides one of the only two Vespas in the island. His is a prestine Vespa PX150 with all the garnishings of a 1997 model. I spotted him by chance while taking a friend to a clinic (by the back road) who had a sailing related injury.

...on the beach. Injured Frank center, Joe and Chris helping him.

To see the other Vespa in Boracay go to Vespinoy forums. Also see related story by John Rana.

Big on Sailing

More than any sport, I am big on sailing. This summer, the season brings in the biggest sailing event in its history. And historic it is. For it only holds the record for the oldest trophy in the world.

It's the 32nd America's Cup season. It's been 5 years since the cup have been challenged. A match race of top sailors and cutting edge boat designs. Some say its a design race others a helmsman's race. But that's what makes it fascinating. Learn more about ACC in Understanding the Cup a bigginners guide.

From a series of races one Challenger boat will out manuever, literally, 11 contenders to face the Defending Champion, Swiss boat Alinghi and yet another series of one on one match races to determine the winner of this 155 year old mug.

Up Close Maiden HK

Hundred and fifteen feet in length, Frank Pong's Maiden Hong Kong is not your typical racing sailboat. I mean, take a look at the big disparity of a the 50ft+ Mandrake and Maiden above. Having the biggest IRC rating in the world, this boat is literally humongus and like a space ship on deck and down below, with the canting keel and all.


I had a chance to get on board Maiden before the start of the Manila-Boracay Race and posted some here. Enjoy the pics!

Screaming Regatta in a World Famous Beach

Another great regatta. Took this sneaky shot of Benj sailing low to pass Hi Fi up our stern. This was the 4th race of President's Cup, the regatta gave us fantastic close starts and strong winds exceeding 25knots. See more pics here.

Captain Marty has some great racing stories in Asian Yachting that'll give you a clearer picture of how this first ever bigboat regatta unfolded in front of Boracay . See you in 2009!

Rockin Sailin Video

Hey Sailors!
Gotta see these awesome Maxi-Yachts surfing and pounding on the ocean swells. I've had experiences like this on my 13foot dinghy, but on 60+foot race boats?...It's absolutely extreme sailing!

Watch.

Race Ready

The 3rd of March will be the start of a series of races-one long passage from Manila Bay to Boracay and 7 from the 15th President's Cup Regatta to be held for the very first time in Boracay.

Expect a good number of international yachts in this events for the island itself lures even the most critical of sailors in the region.

Boats such as the Karakoa, see embeded video below, will be competing. And I am looking forward to meet my team mates again.



Took this video last year on our way back home from the Mnl-Bora Race. Enjoy.

Vespinoy Cool

Just a small token to the main man of Vespinoy.com.

Thanks Bimbo!

Cailles Underground Layer

The following scenes transpired in the last 24hours. - love saying that!
Actually these shots were taken last week in Dong's Scooter Center during a pre-ride meeting of a loose group of vintage Lambretta and Vespa owners. Discover the legend, the underground shop and loads of cool running vintage two wheelers never before seen in the internet.

Lined up for a rare photo shoot, these scoots ride daily and were all restored (save caramel) here in Dong's shop.

One of Ron "Saso" Soriano's Vespa GS150. These baby is all genuine down to the rear rack and other accessories. The Vespa APE on the right is Dong's storage cabinet. Yes, it's parked by the curb.

Two cool Lambretta SX200, a Series2 and Caramel

Chrome to the bone. Jorge's LI150 Series2 was also painted in Filcarrozeria.

Fast and furious TOP GUN 200, its creators Eddie and Dong, and its owner, Jason Conde inspecting his steed. It's up for a much needed repainting after they have improved her power to 140KPH top speed.

Red Series2 for sale.

Charlie, Ron and Jason having a colorfull conversation about cops and scoots.

After taking several pics at the scoots scattered around the street, we couldn’t resist but arrange them in formation for more photo ops. Notice almost all of them are vintage save the yellow and carramel PX's.

To see old pics of Vespa scenes in Manila click here.

More pics of the pre ride meeting here.