(Newport Beach, CA)- One of Southern California’s most popular offshore
races is about to start this weekend from Newport Beach, CA. The annual
Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race is a 125nm race that has challenged
SoCal sailors since 1948. The race famously starts with a massive
“send-off” party on Thursday and ends with yet another amazing shindig
down in the fun-loving city of Ensenada on the Baja Peninsula of
Mexico. And, to make it even more fun, more often than not ‘ole Mother
Nature promises to delivery yet another downhill sleigh ride with dozens
of porpoises frolicking in boat wakes and ginormous whales leaping like
lizards out of the enormous Pacific swells. Organized and 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. In order to accommodate the realities of our modern day economy, where time is of the essence for skippers and crew, NOSA has introduced a new “short course” that starts in San Diego Bay and ends up with the Newport Beach boats in Ensenada.
It has been a popular event for J sailors over the years, starting with J/24s and J/30s up to J/120s, the famous J/125s and the majestic J/65. The 2016 edition will have a broad range of offshore-loving J/Crews. In the big boat world in PHRF A, John Lyon’s J/160 INNOCENT MERRIMENT from San Diego YC will be dueling with classmate Carolyn Parks and her fire-engine red beauty- the J/145 RADIO FLYER from Santa Barbara YC.
The lone wolf in PHRF C class is the Puerto Vallarta Race division winner- the J/125 TIMESHAVER sailed by Viggo Torbensen and crew from Dana Point YC. Just behind them is a virtual one-design offshore class comprised of four J/120s- Peter Bretschger’s ADIOS from Balboa YC, Rudolph Hasl’s HASL FREE from San Diego YC, Terri Manok’s POLE DANCER, and John Snook/ Ron Masterson’s JIM from Long Beach YC. They will be joined by the Rolex Big Boat Series winning J/122 TKO, sailed by John Raymont from Balboa YC.
Seth Hall’s pretty flag-blue J/124 MARISOL will be sailing under the flag of the Cortez Racing Association in PHRF E class. They will be chased hard by a trio of J’s in PHRF F class that includes the offshore-winning team on the J/88 BLUEFLASH skippered by Scott Grealish from Willamette SC in Portland, OR. Along with them will be two J/109s, Milton Santos’ LINSTAR from Balboa YC and Jack Mayer’s ZEPHYR.
The lone J/105 on the race track will be Juan Lois’ ROCINANTE from Santa Barbara sailing in PHRF H. Finally, PHRF J class will see Stephen Mcdonough’s J/30 EGGEMOGGIN and Scott McKenney’s cute J/32 cruiser BETTY competing for class honors. For more Newport to Ensenada Race sailing information
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