N2E adds optional short course for Cruising Class, smaller PHRF Racers

The Newport Ocean Sailing Association has announced an optional Short Course for Cruising and smaller PHRF racers. The new course will start on the same day from San Diego Harbor and merge into the main body of racers coming down from Newport.

The main race, which starts in Newport Beach, will still begin at 11 a.m. with classes starting every 10 minutes, while the short course will start at 5 p.m. off Shelter Island.

“We’re looking forward to creating as inclusive an environment as we can,” according to NOSA Commodore David Shockley, “to allow more boats to participate and enjoy the excitement, competition and camaraderie of overnight coastal racing to beautiful Ensenada, Mexico.”

“We’re also delighted to be running this new course in conjunction with Southwestern Yacht Club who will host pre-race events in the San Diego area,” he added.

The new short course will be rated at 62 miles, while the traditional course will be 125 miles. The class rating break for the short course will be a SD PHRF rating of 50 or higher.

The dates for the 2016 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race are April 22-24, 2016.

NOSA experimented with alternative courses last year in conjunction with the Transpac 2015 Race to allow for a longer 176 mile course around San Clemente Island as a qualifying race. This year’s goal is to assemble an even larger fleet of 300 plus racing boats including the Maxi fleet, multiple PHRF, one design and cruising classes along with the ORCA or multi-hull racers.