 |
|
|
 News from Around the Americas | April 2007 
Newport-to-Ensenada Race Jams at Start
 Laylan Connelly - Orange County Register
| | HEADING SOUTH: A field of sailboats leaves Newport Harbor on their way to Ensenada, Mexico, at the beginning of the 60th annual Newport to Ensenada boat race. (Daniel A. Anderson/The Register) |
Newport Beach, CA - For the first time in seven years, boaters departed under warm, sunny skies from outside the Newport Harbor for a 135-mile journey to Ensenada, Mexico.
The 60th annual Lexus Newport-to-Ensenada race – dubbed the world's largest international yacht race – began Friday at noon. The race brings boaters from around the world.
Winds were light at the start, about 5 knots, meaning it might be a slower-than-normal race.
A celebration will be held in Ensenada on Saturday for the race's 60th anniversary, with awards handed out Sunday. The race started in 1947 as a "small, just for fun" race for sailors coming out of WWII, according to the Newport Ocean Sailing Association.
Nearly 450 boats crammed together at the start line, down from previous years but still enough vessels to cause traffic jams.
"It's total chaos. Everyone was trying to jockey for position. We came second across the line, which was great. Now, we're headed down coast," said Irvine resident Marty Hameline via cell phone shortly after his crew crossed the start line. Hameline was aboard "Shibumi," a Capri 30.
For race information, go to www.nosa.org. This site will be updated through Sunday.
For the first time in seven years, boaters in the annual Newport-to-Ensenada race – perhaps the world's largest international yacht race – departed Friday under warm, sunny skies. Nearly 450 boats crammed together at the start line outside Newport Harbor at about noon, the vessels causing an initial traffic jam that could put the San Diego (I-405) Freeway during rush hour to shame. Winds were light, about 5 knots, meaning the 135-mile journey down the coast might be slower than normal this year. |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us