Sailing to Victory: A Personal Tale from the World Bay Area Regatta in Shenzhen

(L-R) Jun Avecilla, Team Manager/Commodore SSC; Emerson Villena, Skipper/PSA Athlete; Janno Dalanon, Crew/PSA Athlete; Zed Avecilla, Crew/Executive Director SSC; Marcus Avecilla Crew/VP PSA; Seymour Saldavia, Co-Manager/Director SSC

Hey there, sailing enthusiasts and adventure lovers! 🌊⛵ I'm beyond excited to share a piece of fantastic news with you all. Guess what? We just clinched the top spot at the inaugural World Bay Area Regatta FarEast23r One Design Class in Shenzhen, China, waving the flag high for Subic Bay, Philippines! 🏆🥇

This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I'm here to spill all the exciting details and experiences that made it so memorable. So, grab your favorite drink, and let's dive in!

📸 Action Shots from the Official Media! (ctto)📸

1. A Salute to Sportsmanship 🤝

You know, sailing is more than just a sport – it's a lifestyle that teaches you the true essence of sportsmanship. Racing against 9 amazing teams, we made sure to stick to the core values of fair play and mutual respect. But hey, it's not just about winning; it's about building friendships and having a blast on the water!

2. Sailing Unites the World 🌍

Sailing has an extraordinary power to bring people together, transcending borders and cultures. We've had the privilege of reconnecting with old friends and making new acquaintances from various countries. We eagerly anticipate future races abroad and the possibility of hosting them right here in the Philippines!

3. Shenzhen's Spectacular Commitment 🇨🇳

Talking about host cities, Shenzhen blew us away! Their drive to turn the city into a sports and marine hotspot is genuinely inspiring. Their love for sailing, water sports, and boosting tourism is something we're itching to emulate back home in Subic Bay and across the Philippines.

We're beyond proud to be part of this historic occasion, building on our solid relationship with the event organizers that dates back to the inaugural China Cup International Regatta in 2007. This event also marks a renewed commitment in our partnership with the China Cup International Regatta Organizing Committee and Shenzhen Across Four Oceans Sailing Club, together with the newly formed Offshore Racing Club of the Philippines (ORCP), we're dedicated to nurturing sailing talent and strengthening cross-cultural connections. 🤝🇵🇭

Photo Above (L-R): Frank Pong, Owner/skipper of Jelik; Jun Avecilla, Commodore Subic Sailing Club, David Zhong, Deputy Secretary General China Cup International Regatta Organizing Committee and Marcus Avecilla, VP of Philippine Sailing Association

4. Family, Friends, and Unforgettable Memories ❤️

Beyond the victory, this journey allowed me to spend precious moments with my father, brother, and my dear friend Seymour, alongside one of the Philippines' top athlete sailors from our national team. These memories are priceless. These moments? Priceless.

A huge shoutout to the event organizers, our fierce competitors, and my incredible team for their unwavering dedication. I can't wait to catch up with everyone at the next regatta.

So, what's next?

We're setting our sails toward an even brighter future, filled with more thrilling adventures on the water. We are excited about the upcoming regattas in 2024 starting with the Busuanga Bay Regatta on January 25-28, followed by the highly-acclaimed Subic Bay to Boracay Race and Boracay Cup Regatta on February 22-27 and culminating in Subic Bay for the Subic Bay Cup Regatta on April 2-6, made possible by the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series. This event is brought to you in partnership with the Ocean Racing Club Philippines (ORCP) under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association.

And hey, if you've ever wanted to learn sailing, now's your chance! Reach out to us at the Subic Sailing Club. We believe every Filipino should experience the joy of sailing – we are an archipelago, after all, ano ba?! 🌊⛵

Together, let's keep the spirit of sailing alive and make waves! 🌟🌊

Written by: Zed Avecilla

Executive Director

Subic Sailing Club