Newport to Ensenada Race: Mighty Merloe first to finish

Published on April 25th, 2015

Ensenada, Mexico (April 25, 2015) – H.L. Enloe’s Mighty Merloe slipped into Ensenada minutes before dawn this morning at 5:55:35 a.m. to secure Best Elapsed Time honors at the 68th annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. Last year’s first to finish winner, Tom Sieble’s Orion, crossed the finish line in the light of day at 6:24:29 a.m.

By 8 a.m., the masts of the sleds and maxi’s could be seen peaking above the horizon and slowly washed in with a bank of clouds that seemed to have hovered offshore all night. Details are pending, but a group of five favorites including Pyewacket and Bad Pak clustered together in the final minutes to finish only seconds apart.

Early morning showers put a damper on the wind, Friday and the start may have looked like a raft up from afar. Close up, there were still lots of jockeying for position as the various classes drifted into the start line. By 1 p.m. the 205 boat fleet, flying colorful spinnakers, headed into the dark grey horizon in search of wind.

Nineteen boats called in throughout the night with to report DNF status (did not finish) including last years’ big winner Mama Tried, sailed by Pete Melvin.