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Sailing action returns to Taal Lake

Talisay mayor Nestor Natanauan and top winners Lindo Pahayahay and Michael Ngu

2022 Philippine Hobie 16 National Championships

After a two-year suspension due to the pandemic, competitive sailing has returned to Taal Lake Yacht Club (TLYC) with the holding of the recent 2022 Philippine Hobie 16 National Championships, the country’s longest-running Hobie sailing tournament.

Talisay mayor Nestor Natanauan and top winners Lindo Pahayahay and Michael Ngu

Situated by the lakeshores of Talisay, Batangas, and a jump-off point to Taal Volcano, TLYC has been dubbed by Lonely Planet as the country’s “sailing mecca” because of its ideal winds the whole year round.

For the tournament’s 24th edition, two doctors proved their mettle outside the medical field as they dominated the five-race competition.

Ophthalmologist Michael Ngu of the Manila Doctors Hospital, along with crew Lindo Pahayahay, topped the tournament, determining the year’s top Hobie 16 sailor.

Coming in at second place is Sunpower Philippines general manager Glenn Everett, crewed by wife Jana.

Batangas governor Mandanas with Governor's Cup winners Jazmine Lucero and Peter Capotosto
Batangas governor Mandanas with Governor’s Cup winners Jazmine Lucero and Peter Capotosto

Dennis Cruz, a Makati Medical Center ophthalmologist and former Philippine Eye Doctors Association president, and his local crew, Jason Mendoza is racing up the winning circle at third place.

The awards were presented by Talisay municipal Mayor Nestor Natanauan.

Philippine Hobie Nationals at Taal Lake
Philippine Hobie Nationals at Taal Lake

The Hobie 16 National Championships started in 1995 at its TLYC homebase, and was rotated around Subic Bay, Laiya Beach in San Juan, Cebu, Anvaya Cove in Bataan, and Punta Fuego and Tali Beach in Nasugbu, Batangas.

In an adjunct tournament held the next day, TLYC commodore Peter Capotosto and Jazmine Lucero of topped the Governor’s Cup, a new single-race format that sailed around Taal Volcano.

Named in honor of the provincial chief executive of Batangas, the Cup is the annual yearend multi-race tourney showcasing Taal Lake’s sports tourism potential. Governor Hermilando Mandanas, a tourism champion in the Calabarzon region, awarded the top winners.

Governor's Cup
Governor’s Cup

The sailing events were sponsored by San Miguel Beer, Club Balai Isabel, Barako Coffee, and Active Boating and Watersports as media partners, and supported by the Municipality of Talisay and the Province of Batangas.

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Read: Hobie Sailing Around The Idyllic Islands

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