CHAMPION boat Standard Insurance Centennial III, skippered by veteran sailor Judes Echauz, will be the lone Philippine entry to the 12th Rolex China Sea starting Wednesday at the Race Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Echauz’ first race was in 1994 in which he sailed with Nestor Soriano on board the X-119 Lethal Weapon. He has only missed one crossing in 2002 and his best results were in the 2008 and 1998 editions, taking the overall win on his previous boat Sydney 46 Subic Centennial.
Echauz, president of Philippine Sailing Association, has yet to take the overall win on his Davidson TP52, but persevering to get the title back this year will be Standard Insurance Centennial III’14-man crew representing Filipino national athletes.
The all-Filipino crew, led by Ridgely Balladares, comprises a variety of dinghy coaches and sailors from various classes, including Lasers, 420s and 470s.
“The Rolex China Sea Race with Rolex as the major sponsor starting in 2008 has brought prestige to the 565 nautical mile race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay in Zambales,” said Echauz, who was recently named Executive of Year awardee of the Philippine Sportswriters Association.
By the mere fact that it ends in Subic Bay in the Philippines brings honor to the country as the final destination of this most popular long-distance race in Asia, he added.
The Rolex China Sea Race capitalizes on Hong Kong’s distinctive energy, with a race start in Victoria Harbour surrounded by the city’s impressive high-rise panorama.
The competing yachts negotiate both traditional and modern sea traffic before embarking on the open water section of the 565-nautical mile course to Subic Bay.
Hong Kong native and successful businessman, Karl Kwok is the only owner in Rolex China Sea Race history to have won both overall and line honors in two editions of the race.
Kwok started competitive sailing when he joined the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in 1975 and embarked on his first Rolex China Sea Race on a Dubois 37 HINYUAN II, with partner Gaston Chan in 1982.
In the 2000 edition, Kwok bested his own Farr ILC40’ Beau Geste 1996 record by an incredible 28h 10m 49s on his Whitbred 60 Beau Geste.
He also held this epic Rolex China Sea Race record of 47h 43m 07s for an incredible 16 years until Alive, a Reichel/Pugh 66, broke it by a mere 11m 59s in the 2016 edition.
