sailboat race to ensenada

Local News | Famed 125-mile Newport to Ensenada race brings…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Orange County
• Things to Do

Local News | Famed 125-mile Newport to Ensenada race brings legacy, competition and fun on the water

An estimated 146 boats departed from the start line off the Balboa Pier on Friday, April 26, for the 125-mile jaunt now in its 76th year. About 20 boats were signed up to do a shorter course that ends in San Diego.

Sailboats gather near the Balboa Pier as they prepare to start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sailors aboard the Fifty-One-Fifty waves to people on the Balboa Pier as they prepare to start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sailors aboard the Fast Exit II, left, and Zephyrus head for the start line during the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The sailboat La Mer passes the Balboa Pier as sailors prepare to start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Gerry Lamothe checks out the sailboats gathering near the Balboa Pier as they prepare to start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sailboats start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sailboats Blond Fury, left, Fifty-One-Fifty, center, and Spin Doctor near the Balboa Pier as they prepare to start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Blond Fury passes the Balboa Pier as they prepare to start the 76th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race in Newport Beach, CA, on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“It looks like it’s going to be one of those banner years, really good wind for about 95% of the race,” Newport Ocean Sailing Association commodore Philip Herzfeld said ahead of the start, noting winds were predicted in the 15- to 22-mph range. “There will be a lot of boats finishing early this year.”

The Newport to Ensenada race has a rich history in Southern California, starting in the late ’40s, long before many of the nearby harbors existed and just as yacht clubs were forming and the sport of sailing was growing along the coast. The Newport Ocean Sailing Association created the event to promote the sport of ocean racing and the city’s growing harbor.

In the ’80s, the Newport to Ensenada was touted as the world’s largest international race, with more than 600 yachts entering annually. Among the racers were famous celebrities including Humphrey Bogart, Walter Cronkite and Roy Disney.

Participation has dropped in recent years, but this year saw an upward trend in boat participation since before the pandemic, an increase of about 6%, Herzfeld said.

While organizers haven’t had a chance to analyze why the increase, visits to various yacht clubs up and down the coast in recent months drew enthusiasm from not just long-time Newport to Ensenada racers, but newbies wanting to do the famed race for the first time, he said.

While most boats are from California sailing clubs, several entries came from out of state, including two from Oregon and Mexico, another from land-locked Arizona and a racer from Ontario, Canada, who is competing for the eighth time.

“We get boaters from all over,” Herzfeld said.

The race draws a mix of serious sailors who race multi-million-dollar yachts, alongside weekend warriors who sail decades-old boats, with vessels ranging from small 29-footers to massive 85-foot yachts.

Spectators gathered on the Balboa Pier Friday morning with binoculars and cameras ready to capture the stunning sight on the sea as the boats with their bright sails readied to take off toward the border.

“It’s a phenomenal sight to see all these boats, the mix of large and small, the different colored sails and boat designs and shapes,” Herzfeld said. “It’s really a unique sight.”

For the first few hours, boats race near one another, but as they get into the open ocean boat drivers have to strategize, like deciding whether to sail inside or outside of the Coronado Islands, said Herzfeld, who did his first race in 1986.

“I love the fact that every time I do it, it’s completely different and I never know what to expect,” he said. “I always end up meeting great people and having a great time.”

Longtime Long Beach boater Mike Whalen is no stranger to the race, first joining as a young teenager on his father’s boat.

Now 70, he’s raced on boats that vary in size, sailing in several different classes through the years. But one thing, he said, has remained the same: The thrill of racing on the open ocean.

“I really just love the freedom of it, you get out there and you’re doing all the work,” he said. “There’s no motor.

“I’m not a great sailor, but I just love it,” he said. “I love the tactics and all the other things involved in racing. You make really good friends for life, it’s fun.”

This year, Whalen is racing the Ramble On for the second year and expected, like most other years, he and his crew from the Shoreline Yacht Club will end up in the middle of the pack.

Back when Whalen first started, Ensenada was a different place, he said, more rural and not as developed, with just one or two hotels at the finish line.

“I had never gone that far anywhere before, really, especially on a boat,” he said of his younger years. “Even though it’s not that far, it’s another culture.”

Whalen started racing with a few older friends, he said, forming bonds and friendships through the years.

“I think that’s why I do it, I have a lot of friends I get to see who want to sail together,” he said.

Some of those friends have passed on through the years, and at some point during the race each year, the crew will lift glasses to toast to their memories out at sea.

“They are all a part of making you a  better sailor, and making you a better friend,” Whalen said.

The most memorable races are the really windy one, like three years ago, he said. “It was blowing really well, so a lot of times were set.”

For Whalen, it’s not about setting records or finishing first, he said, it’s about the journey.

“We try to sail the best we can, but our average age is 60 to 65, so you have some younger guys who take more chances,” he said. “We’re not really big risk takers. We do everything slow.”

Last year , Rich Festa earned three perpetual trophies in his class – all of which were destroyed in a fire in December at the California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, where they were on display.

“It’s quite heartbreaking,” said Festa, who is racing the 46-foot Groundhog Day. “These trophies, as well as others, had a lot of history. One of them started in 1942, there was a lot of big names on these trophies over the years.”

Festa hopes this year he can earn another trophy, but regardless, racing the Newport to Ensenada is a good time, he said.

If wind predictions held up, many of the boats are expected to hit the finish before midnight, Festa said.

“We’re at the bar having a drink before they close,” Festa said. “This is just a quick jaunt down the coast and we all know we are going to have a good time when we get to Ensenada. There’s so many boats involved in the race, we all run into each other when we get on land, it’s fun to see people and enjoy their company.”

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in Local News

Crews battle huge brush fire in Camp Pendleton

Pets and Animals | Mittens the kitten is a great snuggler

Pets and Animals | Terrier mix Katt is a real charmer

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Local news | orange county restaurants shut down by health inspectors (aug. 29-sept. 5).

Boats set sail for Ensenada in 74th annual Newport to Ensenada race

• Copy Link URL Copied!

The 74th annual Newport to Ensenada race is officially underway.

About 165 sailboats set sail from Balboa Pier late Friday morning, heading to one of three locations: Dana Point, to San Diego around the Coronado Islands, and to Ensenada. Most of the races are expected to end on Sunday with the exception of the sprint to Dana Point, which ended at around 6:30 p.m. on Friday.

The event was first held in 1948. The Newport Ocean Sailing Assn. — the nonprofit that organizes the annual race and encourages yacht racing throughout Southern California — was founded in 1947, making this its 75th year in operation.

Ensenada’s mayor Armando Ayala met with former Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery in November at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for an early toast to the return of this year’s race. More celebrations are planned for Sunday in San Diego and Ensenada respectively.

Nearly 30 sailboats charted course for San Diego, and over 100 sailboats are making their way to Ensenada. A little over a dozen headed for Dana Point Friday.

The international boat race was canceled only once in its history, during 2020 in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To track the boats and see where they are against California’s coastline, readers can visit yb.tl/n2e2022# .

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.

All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.

Get our free TimesOC newsletter.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.

Lilly Nguyen is a former staff writer for the Daily Pilot, where she covered Newport Beach. Before joining the Pilot, she worked for the Orange County Register as a freelance reporter and general assignment intern. She earned her bachelor’s in journalism at Cal State Long Beach.

More on this Subject

Daily Pilot e-newspaper: Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024

Sept. 7, 2024

Daily Pilot e-newspaper: Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024

2 retired Rancho Santiago CCD employees have deep moorings in ASCIP risk pool

How one Orange County community college district found $8M of its own money

Newport Beach Blog

Discover Newport Beach

Discover the latest Newport Beach news, trends, hot spots, fine dining establishments and more on the Visit Newport Beach blog. Our blog comes equipped with all the details you need to make your outings in Newport Beach ones to remember.

Newport Beach

Choose from an award-winning list of Newport Beach hotels as well as boutique hotels, beach hotels, Newport Beach resorts, cottages, rental properties and Newport Beach camping sites on the sand.

Restaurant Blog

Discover the latest news, trends and happenings within our Newport Beach community.

Discover All Newport Beach offers, including holidays offers, etc.

On the Water

Unwind in the scenic parks or take a memorable harbor cruise to savor the breathtaking views that make Newport Beach a perfect destination for relaxation and exploration

Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race

View Schedule of Events

For more information please visit: www.nosa.org .

Recent Blog Posts

September 5, 2024

Coolest Pools in Newport Beach for Local Summer

September 3, 2024

The Best Sports Bars for Football Season in Newport Beach

Newport destination guide, download your newport beach destination guide.

Plan your next trip to Newport Beach with this inspiring guide.

Newsletter Sign up

Stay up to date newport newsletter.

Stay connected to receive updates on upcoming events and special offers.

Destination Guide

Start planning your vacation today

Published on April 26th, 2023 | by Assoc Editor

N2E 75: The countdown is on

Published on April 26th, 2023 by Assoc Editor -->

Hosted by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association, the beloved 125-mile Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race sails for the 75th time on Friday, April 28, 2023.

One hundred forty sailboats, an eclectic mix of serious sailors campaigning multi-million-dollar yachts racing alongside recreational cruisers – from 30 to 85 feet – will cross the start line off the Balboa Pier. Skippers hail from nine different states with one from Ontario, Canada, and one from Mexico.

Racers will sail on one of two courses, the extended run around the Coronado Islands finishing in San Diego, and the perennial favorite; the classic course to festive Ensenada. Sailing enthusiasts, friends, and family can watch the start action from the end of the Balboa pier.

N2E has long been known as a family event. Sailing on Jerry Fiat’s trophy-claiming Farrier 32 SRX Taniwha will be Peter Sangmeister. At 21, Sangmeister was tasked to pull the boat out of storage and put it together in preparation for the ORCA class start. Just 10 minutes before the ORCA start will be the UL-MAXI Class in which Sangmeister’s father John will be competing. John Sangmeister, a NOSA board member and speaker at last week’s Yachtsman’s Luncheon will helm Rock N Roll, an Andrews Dencho 68.

Returning for just his second year aboard a new L30 is Charles Ullman; son of sailing legend and Ullman Sails founder Dave Ullman, and grandson of NOSA founding member Charles Ullman. The eldest Ullman was the first handicap committee chairman and devised two racing categories; Long-Distance Racing and Arbitrary classes.

Last year Ullman sailed the first L30 in California in the Dana Point race. The boat, now named Dartt, is stepping up to the San Diego course. A sister ship, last seen on a trailer in Arizona, is registered for the Ensenada course. The skipper of that boat will be Rodion Luka, the brainchild of the L30 brand and a decorated Ukrainian yachtsman.

Luka is a 2004 Olympic Games silver medalist, the 2005 Class 49er World Champion, a European Champion, a Volvo Ocean Racer, and President of the Sailing Federation of Ukraine.

Weather conditions are not projected to be akin to last year’s near-gale conditions. Those 25+ knot winds blew Manouch Moshayed’s Rio100, a custom Bakewell White, into Ensenada before sunset for a record-breaking elapsed time of 07:02:17. Not far aft in Rio100’s wake, all but one in the Maxi fleet also broke the old record. Although John Brynjolfsson’s TP52 Saga, missed the old record by mere minutes, he won the battle for best-in-class honors and left Mexico with three trophies.

Dignitaries from Mexico and Newport Beach will kick off race night festivities with a reception at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club before the annual Skipper’s VIP party Thursday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m.

Event details

First run in 1948, the N2E has a storied history of mixing professional racers, celebrities, and recreational sailors to become a time-honored event for the city of Newport Beach, the City of Ensenada, and sailing enthusiasts who come from across the country to compete. In recent years, great winds have tested and challenged the skills of crews, many of who only sail overnight on this race. Orion, a MOD70, holds the record for fastest elapsed time on the 125nm course at 5:17:26.

Source: Laurie Morrison

Tags: Newport to Ensenada Race

Related Posts

76th Newport to Ensenada Race →

A rite of passage for SoCal sailors →

Newport to Ensenada Race: entry open →

Better than expected winds to Ensenada →

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

• ボートレースを楽しもう！

• ボートレーサーってどんな人？

• ボートレースの基礎知識

• ボートレース場に行ってみよう！

• キャンペーン・お知らせ

• SG・PG1スケジュール

• G1・G2スケジュール

• ヴィーナスシリーズ スケジュール

• ルーキーシリーズ スケジュール

マスターズリーグ スケジュール

テレビ/ラジオ/ネット 中継

• SG・PG1・G1記録集

ログイン情報を お忘れの方

• お客様情報の照会・変更

テレボート会員限定 キャンペーン

にっぽん未来プロジェクト競走ｉｎ尼崎

一般　　　　　 1800m

• 締切時オッズは、発売票数の集計が完了した時点でのオッズを表示しています。 レース開始後の返還欠場等によるオッズの変動は反映されません。
• ボートレースガイドはこちら

ボートレースを知る楽しむ

• マスターズリーグスケジュール
• テレビ/ラジオ/ネット中継

レース場・チケットショップ

• ログイン情報をお忘れの方
• テレボート会員限定キャンペーン

COPYRIGHT © BOAT RACE OFFICIAL WEB ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Anticipation begins for 75th Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race

Related Articles