Ensenada Yacht Race
Dr. Laura Schlessinger famous radio talk show host teams up with Dennis Conner to pilot the 60′ Farr Stars and Stripes in this weeks 2009 Newport Ensenada Yacht Race. Leaving today from the Balboa Yacht Club
The usual high-powered ocean racers are already lined up for todays’s start of the 62nd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, led by last year’s two big winners. David Janes and Bill Turpin’s Akela, a Reichel/Pugh 77 that won the 2008 Tommy Bahama Trophy for first overall on handicap time, and Doug Baker’s first-to-finish, record-chasing Magnitude 80 are among the Maxi Class fleet that sets the pace in the 125.5-nautical mile race, along with Roy Pat Disney sailing his dad Roy E.’s recycled Pyewacket II; Dennis Conner’s Farr 60, Stars & Stripes; several ULDB 70s, a handful of TP52s and the prototype of the latter global class, John MacLaurin’s Pendragon 4, a Davidson 52.
Overall, entries—approaching 300 at this report—appear to have been impacted by the economy and, to a lesser extent, concerns about security at the Mexican border for people driving to Ensenada. The latter have been eased by aggressive efforts by Mexican authorities and officials of the Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA) who organize the race.
One hour to Kick Off…
