New York’s “Phaedo3” wins ORCA Class at Newport to Cabo race

CABO SAN LUCAS — A multi one-design claimed first place in the ORCA Class of Newport Harbor’s Newport to Cabo race, it was announced March 16. New York Yacht Club’s Lloyd Thornburg raced his Phaedo3 to the finish line ahead of the pack. Finishing behind him Thornburg was H.L. Enroe of Silver Gate Yacht Club, whose Mighty Merloe (an ORMA 60) came in second.

Mighty Merloe came in about two hours behind Phaedo3.

Sitting atop the ORR 1 Class (fourth in ORR overall) was Zephyrus (skippered by Los Angeles Yacht Club’s Damon Guizot).

James McDowell’s Grand Illusion claimed top honors in both ORR 2 and ORR overall.

Other finishers were Holua (second on ORR 2 and ORR overall) and Horizon (first in ORR 3, third ORR overall).

An awards party was held March 16, followed by the trophy presentation on St. Patrick’s Day.

In all 22 teams participated in this year’s NHYC Cabo Race: ASZHOU (RP 63), Buona Sera (Santa Cruz 70), Catapult (Santa Cruz 70), Chim Chim (Gunboat 62), Condor (Andrews), Fast Exit (AND40), Grand Illusion (Santa Cruz 70), Holua (Santa Cruz 70), Horizon (Santa Cruz 50), Hula Girl (Santa Cruz 50), LOCOmotive (Summit 40), Lucky Ducky (Santa Cruz 52), Medicine Man (Dench), Mighty Merloe (ORMA 60), Mirage (Santa Cruz 70), OndeAmo (Benetau First 40.7), Phaedo3 (MOD70), Pywewacket (Andrews 70), Rio 100 (Bakewell-White 100’), Rufless (Melges 32), Timeshaver (J125) and Zephyrus (R/P 77).

The NHYC Cabo Race, organized by Newport Harbor Yacht Club in 1971 and held every other year since, gives Southern California sailors an opportunity to sail 800 miles down the Southern California and Baja California coast. The race also serves as a tune-up for the summer’s Transpac or Pacific Cup races.

Roy Disney’s Pyewacket won the NHYC Cabo Race on 2013 and 2015. Other two-time race winners are John Delaura’s Silver Bullet (1989, 1991) and Swiftsure (Nick Frazee 1979, Nick and Robert Frazee 1985).

Newport to Cabo photo