(Newport Beach, California)- The 68th annual Newport to Ensenada
International Yacht Race will see more than 40 classes of boats cross
the start line this Friday, April 24 from 11 a.m. until noon.Hosted by the Newport Ocean Racing Association, the beloved N2E is an eclectic mix of serious sailors campaigning multi-million dollar yachts racing alongside recreational cruisers. With more than 205 boats entered, N2E is again one of the world’s largest international offshore yacht races.
The inaugural Transpac Qualifier route will send larger yachts and experienced sailors around San Clemente Island then South to Ensenada, Mexico. Also new this year is the Open Class; a showcase for ultra-modern foiling sailboats that can potentially complete the 125-nautical mile course before dark.
First
run in 1948, the N2E has a storied history of mixing professional
racers, celebrities and recreational sailors to become a time-honored
steeped in tradition event for Newport Beach, the city of Ensenada and
sailing enthusiasts who come from across the country to compete. More
than 40 trophy categories in monohull, multihull and cruising classes
give this a race a wide appeal. In recent years, great winds have tested
and challenged the skills of crews, many who only sail overnight on
this race.In fact, the weather may end up being the story of the race much like it was last year. For those with short memories, the 2014 edition of the N2E was the first start this century that started off with a windward beat in 15-20 kts winds dead on the nose from the SSE. As a front moved through, the wind died and swung SW, then ultimately NW with the arrival of the front with speeds hitting 20-30 kts at times during the night. This year the fleet is hopeful the forecast holds true. At the start, it should be around 8-12 kts SW shifting to W 10-15 kts in the evening and by midnight to the NW with a slight chance of showers with the passing Low (depression). By the Saturday morning, the fleet should be well down track towards San Diego and Ensenada and with any bit of luck the forecasted 15-25 kts winds, gusting to 30 kts, from the NW kick in for a super fast, fresh-to-frightening sleigh-ride under spinnakers or code zeros to the finish! It has the makings of a record run for many boats.
The
J/120 Class has seven boats with many of the top boats from the SoCal
region looking forward to the heavy reaching conditions. Top teams
include Peter Bretschger’s ADIOS, John Laun’s CAPER, Mike Hatch’s
J-ALMIGHTY, Tom & Terri Manok’s POLE DANCER and Gary Winton’s
SHENANIGANS.The seventeen boat PHRF A class has some of the hottest offshore boats in the 40-60 foot range. Chief amongst that group are a twin J/125s- Mark Surber’s DERIVATIVE and Viggo Torbensen’s TIMESHAVER. They will have to contend with some very fast reaching offshore J/Teams in the form of Carolyn Parks’ J/145 RADIO FLYER and two J/160s- Paul Margis’ INDIGO and John Lyon’s INNOCENT MERRIMENT.
In
the fourteen-boat PHRF B class, two J’s will be going at it, John
Raymont’s J/122 T.K.O. and Seth Hall’s J/124 MARISOL (the famous kid’s
boat!). The ten-boat PHRF D class promises some interesting match-ups, the old versus new and the very experienced versus the new kids on the block. Three J/109 one-designs are racing that all have some pedigree to them, such as Jon Turner’s PATRIOT, Jack Mayer’s ZEPHYR and Milton Santos’ LINSTAR. A veteran and sailing a classic J/35 is Eric McClure’s MACS. All of them will be chased hard by the J/88 BLUEFLASH skippered by Scott Grealish.
The lone J in the 15 boat PHRF E class is Juan Lois’ J/105 ROCINANTE. Finally, the lone Transpac Qualifier race entry for J’s is Robert Pace’s J/46 ANDIAMO.
Tom Siebel (the new J/125 owner of STARK RAVING MAD IV from San Francisco, CA) will be racing the mighty ORION, a MOD 70 that is identical to Lloyd Thornburg’s MOD 70 PHAEDO IV that just won the multihull class at Voiles des St Barths (Lloyd is owner of one of brother Peter J’s Gunboat 62s by the same name- PHAEDO III is also sailing in the N2E). Sailing photo credits- Rockskipper Photography For more Newport to Ensenada Race sailing information
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