Preparing for the Cabo boat race

The Corona del Mar to Cabo San Lucas yacht race is starting one week later than usual when it begins in spring, organizers announced.

Race officials said that the competition, which had its first launch in 2006, had a scheduling conflict with a Mexican regatta there.

It will now take place the weekend of March 26. The smaller boats, as always, get first dibs and will launch March 26, with the larger yachts scheduled to set sail the day after.

The change should give sailors more time and space in Mexican waters, race spokesman Rich Roberts said. Awards will be handed out in Cabo on April 1.

Past participants have said the race is a good tune-up for the Newport to Ensenada race a few weeks after.

“Those longer races are great, but it takes two weeks for Puerto Vallarta and three weeks for Hawaii. A lot of us can’t do that,” said Balboa Yacht Club commodore Craig Reynolds. “The plan is to take only a week down and back, keep costs to a minimum and have some fun. Cabo’s the right distance.”

The Corona del Mar to Cabo race takes place every other year, making this only the third time sailors have had a chance to participate. The Cabo event had 34 of 37 boats finish in 2008, Roberts said.

For many, this event is a step toward sailing in the Ensenada race.

The 2008 winner, the 50-foot wooden Sabrina, will return to the race, Roberts said. The Corona del Mar to Cabo race is put on by the Balboa and Newport Harbor yacht clubs. The growing popularity of the event has also brought stiffer competition.

Officials said record times were set in each of the last two races.

The Ragtime, the 45-year-old Spencer 65 that won the Los Angeles to Tahiti race in 2008, will be in the running this year.

Roberts said he expects more than 40 racers this year.

Sailors have until February to register for the race. For more information, go to balboayachtclub.com.