From last April 27 to 29, 125 nautical miles were traveled from Newport Beach, California to Ensenada, Baja California, which was navigated by more than 200 ship, of distinct classes, participating in the 65 annual Newport Beach to Ensenada International Yacht Race, a tradition that has mark the strength of the relationship between both Californias.
Sailing out of the Balboa Pier dock in Newport Beach and organized by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA) at 11:00am, hundreds of small and medium sized vessels departed to enjoy both the Pacific coast and to compete in this great annual contest.
Some of the boats ended the race in less then 12 hours while others took more than a day, depending on their size and crew.
The Hotel Coral & Marina, for the first time, was the host hotel for this traditional race, adding a welcome party to the participants and their families on the 28th of April, with a "Beatles" concert tribute by the Abbey Road band, while also having as star openers a young Tijuana singer and the Baja California orchestra, which gave a pleasant celebration accompanied by a food festival where many requisite and representative dishes of Ensenada were laid out to savor and that anyone visiting the city must try, like: fish tacos, traditional sugar churros, carne asada tacos, among others.
The award ceremony was just as successful, where the winner, Bob Lane, a veteran of the Long Beach Yacht Club and a pharmacist, was awarded with the top prize of the President of the USA Trophy and a lease for two years of a Lexus GS 350, 2013 for the best time. At the same time, other categories and styles were awarded.
The annual race towards Ensenada started in 1947, and although it started off for purely recreational reasons, more than 117 ships signed up to 23 of April, 1948 event, for a 125 nautical miles towards the beautiful port of Ensenada for the first time. Celebrities like producer Milton Bren, actors like buddy Ebsen and Humphrey Bogart were just some of those who ventured to Ensenada and be part of the tradition, as well as sea traveling experts that gave prestige to the race.
