Friday, April 27, 2018

71st Newport to Ensenada Race Preview

J/125 sailing off California (Newport Beach, CA)- The Southern California offshore season continues to ramp up in the later stages of spring.  After the famous San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race that took place a few weeks ago, it’s now time for the Newport to Ensenada Race- still one of the world’s largest international yacht races, with a legendary 125nm course that starts off the piers at Newport Beach, CA and heads south down the California coastline to a finish inside Toto Santos Bay off the lovely Hotel Coral & Marina in Ensenada.

Starting on April 27th, the fleet of 180+ boats will look forward to their 71st annual edition of the race.  Answering that seductive call to the sea- the “song of the sirens”- are nearly a dozen J/crews from the Southern California region.

J/124 sailing Ensenada RaceThe majestic queen of the PHRF A fleet will be the J/65 GOOD CALL, sailed by Tom Barker from the Cortez Racing Association.  Two of the insanely fast J/125 offshore speedsters will be participating- TIMESHAVER (Viggo Torbensen from Dana Point YC) and WARRIOR (Dr Laura Schlessinger from Santa Barbara YC).

In the next PHRF B class will be Seth Hall’s J/124 MARISOL sailing for the Cortez Racing Association.  However, he will have to contend with two strong J/120 offshore crews- POLE DANCER (Terri Manok from OYC) and HASL FREE (Rudolph Hasl from San Diego YC).

Sailing PHRF C will be the J/105 ROCINANTE sailed by Juan Lois from SBYRC and the J/35 MACS skippered by Eric McClure from Alamitos Bay YC.  Then in PHRF D is the J/92 DOUBLE DOWN helmed by Brian Kerr from SMW YC.

Finally, sailing the “short course” to Dana Point YC will be the J/22 TEKEELA led by Jock McGraw from DWYC.  For more Newport to Ensenada Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.