566 Sailboats Get Underway for Ensenada in a Slow, Orderly Start Off Newport Beach

A fleet of 566 sailboats got underway in the 40th race from Newport Beach to Ensenada Friday.

There were the usual number of minor bumpings but no major incidents as the boats crowded together at the start, which was generally slow and orderly.

Although there were 596 entries, no-shows reduced the number of starters. The start was a close reach in a soft southerly breeze for most classes, and no spinnakers could be sighted an hour after the start.

Most of the crews were hoping that the wind would clock to the southwest or west before the afternoon was over, giving them a chance to set the big balloon sails for a faster ride down the 125-mile course.