Cabo Race: What Happens in Mexico…

(March 16, 2017) – They started a day later, they finished a day earlier, and the two multihulls that finished the biennial Newport to Cabo International Yacht Race yesterday beat out their monohull comrades on who knows what in town. The security of a keel does come with a cost.

But the monohull brigade has now arrived in Cabo San Lucas, a resort city on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula known for its beaches, nightlife, and ideal location to finish a distance race. Just long enough at 792 nm with enough local flavor and direct flights to check the boxes.

It all began early today, shortly before sunrise, when the R/P 77 Zephyrus finished with an elapse time of 4D 13H 26M 45S. Their strategy to win the class was to “win the start” and then “extend their lead”. The strategy worked giving them First Place in ORR 1, crossing the line with no competitors in sight.

That’s what happens when everyone else in your class retired on day two after getting tired of slating off San Diego. A total of 16 of the 22 starters chose that option.

Next up was the Santa Cruz 70 Grand Illusion crossing the finish line this morning at 9:33am, followed shortly thereafter by sistership Holua at 10:38am. This was a closely fought race between the two in ORR-2 Class all the way down to the line. There is no third place in this class. See reason above.

Out of courtesy to the Santa Cruz 50 Horizon, the final racer and lone competitor in ORR 3, today’s scheduled Awards Fiesta has been postponed until tomorrow. With 100 nm to go as of 14:45, their pace of 11 knots will keep them out of their dress clothes for another night. Standing by for what happens in Mexico on St. Patrick’s Day.

Race details – Tracker – Crew lists – Facebook

Background: Twenty-two teams entered the biennial Newport to Cabo International Yacht Race which takes the fleet from Newport Beach, CA south along the Baja California Peninsula to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Monohulls (19) started the 792 nm race on March 11 with the multihull fleet (3) starting March 12, with all but six teams retiring due to light winds.