Go time for Newport to Ensenada Race

The 70th annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race has attracted 187 entries for the iconic contest that attracts serious sailors, weekend racers and recreational cruisers, all vying for one of more than 45 trophies.

For most of the fleet, the race will start off Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, CA and finish 125 nm later off Ensenada, Baja Mexico. However, a longer course to fulfill Transpac Race requirements extends 176 nm from the start to San Clemente Island before finishing in Ensenada.

With the start on April 28, current weather models and wind predicting services indicate conditions will be unstable though the early hours tomorrow. N2E’s official elapsed time record (set by the 70MOD Orion) is 5:17:26. Aszhou, a 63-foot Australian-built Reichel Pugh returns to defend its record setting monohull time of 9:35:34.

Dick McNish, who turns 90 next month, will be aboard his wooden boat, Cheerio II, as is the famed sailor Dennis Connor on Splendor. 25-time N2E trophy winner Bill Gibbs will be back for his second N2E aboard Wahoo. Aboard Kite35 is a Canadian crew whose home sailing lake might not be clear of ice.

Celebrity Chef Rocky Fino – author of the book “Will Cook for Sex” will sail aboard the 46-foot Hylas, True. He won’t be working on deck; he’ll be serving a multi-course meal with appropriate wines; of course. The chef-on-board tradition on Chuck Wert’s boat goes back 40 years!

Race details – Entry list – Facebook

Background: First run in 1948, the N2E is a time-honored and revered tradition event for Southern California sailors, the City Newport Beach, the City of Ensenada and sailing enthusiasts from across the country. In recent years, great winds or lack thereof have tested and challenged the skills of crews of this overnight on this race.