An all-Filipino crew will historically compete in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race starting on Boxing Day, with 15 Filipino sailors navigating the Centennial 7 as one of six international entrants among over 100 vessels.
The Filipino crew’s participation in the race follows a series of logistical challenges. Initially, they faced difficulties in shipping their own yacht from the Philippines. As fortune would have it, they acquired a yacht previously known as Celestial, after it won the Sydney to Hobart overall handicap in 2022. Veteran sailor Ernesto Echauz will skipper Centennial 7. The crew includes members of the Philippine national sailing team and the Philippine Navy.
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, first held in 1945, is a renowned event attracting competitors from around the world. This year, the race spans 628 nautical miles from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. The journey is known for its challenging conditions, as it traverses the often-turbulent waters of the Bass Strait.
Ernesto Echauz expressed the crew’s enthusiasm and determination, stating that joining this iconic event is a “dream come true” for the team. The acquisition of the Celestial yacht came about when Australian sailor Sam Haynes decided to sell it to Echauz in September. This transaction allowed the Filipino crew to secure a vessel known for its racing pedigree, meeting the standards required for the demanding Sydney to Hobart race.
The Filipino sailors’ participation highlights the increasing global diversity in competitive yachting. While the Sydney to Hobart race has seen international competitors before, the all-Filipino crew brings a new dimension to the event. Observers from the yachting community are eager to see how the team performs amidst the demanding conditions expected during the race.
Sam Haynes, who sold the yacht to the Filipino team, will also be participating in the race with a new vessel named Celestial. This aspect adds an interesting twist to the competition, as both the old and new Celestial yachts will be vying for top positions in the race.
The Sydney to Hobart race is organized by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in cooperation with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. The event has a storied legacy, with numerous dramatic finishes and weather challenges that have tested sailors over the decades. The race’s results are often determined by factors such as wind conditions and navigation strategies, which skilled sailors like Echauz and his crew are well aware of.
