Southland Sailing : Some 590 Yachts to Race to Ensenada

About 590 boats will answer the starting signals at noon Friday for the 40th Newport-to-Ensenada yacht race. The number of entries is well short of the 650 anticipated by the sponsoring Newport Ocean Sailing Assn., but is about 100 more than competed last year.

The 125-mile Ensenada race is believed to be the largest international yacht race in the world and is known for its spectacular start off the Newport Beach jetty with crowds of spectators jamming the beaches and bluffs over Corona del Mar.

In a normal year, about 10% of the registered entries fail to make the starting line and another 10% never make it to the finish line because of too much wind, too little wind or just plain inexperience.

The first race in 1948 had 117 entries and 97 starters but because of blustery weather only 65 boats finished. The race then was known as the Cinco de Mayo, since it was held on the weekend nearest the May 5 Mexican holiday.

The race grew steadily over the years until more than 700 boats signed up for the event in 1982. Since then, the list has slowly dropped off, last year’s 550 being the recent low.

To spur interest in the race, NOSA changed the start from Saturday to Friday, hoping that the earlier date would allow skippers and crews to get back home in time to return to work Monday morning.

Other changes this year are the revival of a beach barbecue at Ensenada on Sunday before the trophy presentation at the Bahia Hotel, Ensenada headquarters for the race; acceptance of commercial sponsors and a celebrity race within the race, involving Hollywood personalities.

The fleet will be divided into four divisions: International Offshore Rule (IOR), Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF); Ancient Mariner (classic wooden boats), and Ocean Racing Catamaran (multi-hulls). The IOR and PHRF divisions will be divided into classes.

The first start will be at noon.