The Publisher
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Apr 20, 2010, 3:10 PM
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2010: N2E and The Border Run
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This week there will be nearly 400 boats racing south in Southern California, which is something that sailors have been doing this time of year for decades. Just not exactly like this.
Now in its 63rd edition, the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race (N2E) will start its fleet (currently at 213 entrants) on Friday, where they will line up off Balboa Pier in Newport Beach and head south down the Southern California coast toward the finish off Ensenada, Baja Mexico, 125 nm down the track.
For sailors in this region, the N2E race is as much festival as competition, and is for many their first overnight race. Said America’s Cup legend Dennis Conner, "I have enjoyed the race since the mid-50s. My first races were on PCC and Owens Cutters. In those days it was THE race everyone looked forward to as there were much fewer races. Not much has changed in the race itself.”
While the race hasn’t changed much, the boats have. Prior to the 2009 N2E race, organizers took the bold stance to support a ban of what was deemed by some to be an unsafe boat - the Reynolds 33 catamaran. There had been instances in Southern California racing where the R33 had capsized, and with race organizers having managed a fleet of nearly 400 boats in the 2008 race, they made the decision that the safety concern was not worth the risk.
Born out of this conflict was a new race, The Border Run, which had its inaugural event in 2009. Conceived by supporters of the Reynolds 33, the race starts in the same location as N2E, but finishes in San Diego rather than going south of the border. Attracting 112 entrants in its first year, this year’s race starts its fleet (currently at 181 entrants) on Saturday for its 69 nm or 90 nm course options.
What is notable about The Border Run is the variance of boats on their entry list. While the N2E attracts what might be considered a mostly monohull traditional inshore race fleet, The Border Run has a more diverse group. At the top end is the ORR ULDB A class consisting of eight maxi sleds, but at the other end are nine beach cats at +/- 20-feet along with a couple Hobie Trifoilers.
And, of course, in The Border Run are four Reynolds 33, the boat which initiated this conflict and competition for customers between the two races. As for the seaworthiness of the R33, they have competed without incident over the past couple years, but one of The Border Run entrants did capsize last weekend in an event off Long Beach. But they were promptly righted, and will be at the start line on Saturday. And the beat goes on…
Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race: http://www.nosa.org
The Border Run: http://www.theborderrun.org
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