Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race
Hosted by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association, the beloved 125-mile Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race sails Friday, April 22 for the 74th time.
165 sailboats, an eclectic mix of serious sailors campaigning multi-million-dollar yachts racing alongside recreational cruisers – from 16 to 100 feet – will cross the start line off the Balboa Pier at 11 a.m.
Racers will sail on one of three courses – the sprint to Dana Point, the extended San Diego run around the Coronado Islands, and the perennial favorite; the classic course to festive Ensenada.
Kicking off race week festivities is the Yachtsman’s Luncheon, hosted by Newport Harbor Yacht Club Wednesday, April 20, at noon. Distinguished sailor and entrepreneur John Sangmeister will speak about the iconic race, racing tactics, and NOSA’s three-quarters of a century of service to the yachting community.
Celebratory events in honor of NOSA’s 75th anniversary began last November when the Mayor of Ensenada made an unprecedented visit to meet with Newport Beach’s Mayor.
Debuts:
In 2019, Jerry Fiat entered an AC45, a former Oracle (America’s Cup) training boat. Last year, he and renowned sailor and yacht designer Pete Melvin sailed a Farrier 32SRX folding trimaran and claimed three trophies. This year, the duo is taking a foiling catamaran, a GC32, on the San Diego course.
A few first-timers are big enough and fast enough to break the monohull elapsed time record. Top of the list isManouch Moshayedi’s Rio100, (STFYC) which broke the 2016 record in the Puerta Vallarta Race, despite finishing second to finish this year.
Others include Ray Paul’s Artemis, a Botin 65, from SFYC, and from CBYC, George Hershman, and Mark Comings’ Good Energy which is the R/P63 monohull record holder Aszhou with a fresh paint job and revitalized outlook. The elapsed time record for a monohull is 9:35:34.
Returning:
Not setting a record, but making a big impact is 4U, a 16-foot RS Venture with specially designed seating to accommodate sailors with disabilities. Entered by California Inclusive Sailing for a second year in hopes of raising awareness of Parkinson’s Disease.
Steve Sellinger’s Triumph, a SC52 won best overall PHRF honors last year despite starting on the wrong line and having to make a 360-degree penalty maneuver. Skipper and crew chose to view the botched start as a diversion strategy as the navigator successfully got them back on course.
The Storm Trysail Club has again offered a trophy for the best team effort. Three-boat teams from two classes with the fastest combined time will win.
