Horizon pulls ahead in 68th annual Newport to Ensenada race

NEWPORT BEACH — Rough weather and big waves made their appearance during the 68th annual Newport to Ensenada (N2E) Yacht Race, April 24, resulting in more than 19 boats dropping out.

However, the weather did not defer John Shulze and his crew aboard, Horizon, from taking home four trophies. Schulze, who owns the Santa Cruz 50, represented Balboa Yacht Club in the 125-nautical mile race.

Horizon took home President of the United States Trophy for Best Corrected Time overall in the PHRF class, Tommy Bahama Trophy for Best Corrected Time for all boats, the Governor of California Trophy for Best Corrected Time in PHRF-A Class and Best Corrected Member of a Newport Beach Yacht Club Trophy.

According to a press release, when Shulze purchased Horizon last year, it came with a crew and a winning record, most notably trophies for winning the PHRF-A class the previous two years. With the win, Horizon has logged a rare N2E three-peat.

Horizon’s tactician advised the team to take the outside course, which ultimately helped lead to a win.

“The team is phenomenal,” said Shulze who has participated in the race eight times. “They know how to get the best out of the boat. I’m honored to be the new owner, but it’s the crew that makes it happen.”

Mighty Merloe made headlines as the first boat to cross the finish line, claiming four trophies: the Alice Purcell Trophy for Best Elapsed Time, Orca Class, the Stein-Cross Trophy for the Best Corrected Trimaran and the NOSA Trophy for the best elapsed time of all boats and won best corrected time in the ORCA class, the President of NOSA Trophy. The boat is owned by H.L. Enloe

James Kirkpatrick`s Alberg, Expression Session, discovered variable winds of 10 to 15 knots. They arrived late afternoon Saturday, April 25, with 20-plus knots, trying to best the rain. The team took home the first Converse Wurdemann trophy for the best corrected Transpac class boat.

Although he did not win anything this year, John Sangmeister’s Pieology, a NACRA F20 full-foiling catamaran, was the first entry into N2E’s new Unlimited Class.

Final results can be found at newporttoensenada.com/results/.

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