2024 Newport to Ensenada Race registration opens

75th Newport to Ensenada Race © Lisa Bronitt

The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race is open for registration for the April 26 - 28, 2024 annual classic. Once again race organizer, Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA), will offer two race courses to either Ensenada or San Diego.

Registration and Notice of Races are available at nosa.org.

The Newport to Ensenada Race is one of the oldest annual sailing competitions that takes place between Newport Beach, California, in the United States, and Ensenada, Baja California, in Mexico. It has been one of the largest international yacht races in the world and still attracts participants from all around the globe.

Last year, Rich Festas' 46-foot Rogers Groundhog Day won the top three trophies in the 75th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. One of seven in the competitive Ultra-Light A-Class, Groundhog Day, crossed the finish line at 17hr 36mn 13s, more than 2 hours and 34 minutes faster than class competitors ITS OK and Staghound that finished just one minute and eight seconds apart.

The Ensenada race covers a distance of approximately 125 nautical miles and is open to a wide range of sailboats, from small cruisers to larger racing yachts. The course to San Diego covers 90 miles. There are trophies for multi-hulls, double-handed, cruising class, all female crews as well as PHRF and ORR classes. This spring classic offers participants a challenging and exciting overnight offshore sailing experience.

Despite sailing 101 nm farther than the fastest Maxi yachts, Taniwha, the 32-foot New Zealand-built Ferrier, clocked a time of 17h 46m 49s and finished 10 minutes and 36 seconds behind Groundhog Day.

The time was good enough for owner Jerry Fiat and his 21-year-old helmsman Peter Sangmeister to take home four trophies: The ORCA A Trophy for best in the ORCA A-Class, the President of NOSA Trophy for Best Corrected - ORCA, the Alice Pursell Trophy for the Best Elapsed Time - ORCA, and the Stein-Cross Trophy - for the first trimaran.

The race has a rich history dating back to 1948 and has become a celebrated event in the west coast sailing community. The largest fleet was in the mid '80 with over 600 yachts. This year the organizers are expecting around 200 competitors between the two race courses. It combines the thrill of competition with the beautiful coastal scenery of Southern California and Mexico.

Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a spectator, the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race is an event worth experiencing. It showcases the skill and dedication of sailors while providing an opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie and adventure of offshore racing.

For more information or to register go to nosa.org.