Newport-to-Ensenda Race Grinds to a Finish as Last Yachts Come In

The 42nd Newport-to-Ensenada yacht race dragged to a close Sunday when the last of the 406 boats remaining in the race eased across the finish line shortly before the finish deadline at 11 a.m.

How slow was the race? The official report from the sponsoring Newport Ocean Sailing Assn. said that 406 of the 520 starters crossed the line under sail, making it one of the slowest on record.

The slowness of the race didn’t dampen the spirits of the hundreds who crowded the patio of the Bahia Hotel to witness the trophy presentation that officially ended the race.

Winner of the President of Mexico trophy for the best corrected time in the International Offshore Rule (IOR) class was Amante, co-skippered by Bud and Mel Richley of Lido Isle Yacht Club.

Winner of the President of the U.S trophy for the best corrected time in the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) Hot Rum, sailed by Albert Castillon, King Harbor Yacht Club. The presenter was Walker Cronkite, who crewed one of the racing yachts.

Dennis Conner, skipper of the 60-foot catamaran, Stars & Stripes, won the special NOSA trophy for the first yacht to finish, but failed to show up to accept the award. It was accepted by a crew member.

NOSA president Doug Wall said all of the boats were accounted for by noon Sunday. The official list of DNFs (did not finish) was 114.