2019 Newport to Ensenada Race features a new finish line

ENSENADA—At least two changes are in store for this year’s Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, as the Newport Ocean Sailing Association, or NOSA, announced the addition of a new class and the repositioning of the race’s finish line.

This year’s Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race will be held April 26-28, with participants starting at Balboa Pier in Newport Beach and finishing at Coral Hotel in Ensenada.

The finish line will be closer to Hotel Coral Marina’s southern breakwater, with the specific location to be detailed in the race’s Sailing Instructions.

NOSA will also introduce ULDB and non-ULDB classes into the race, as opposed to relying upon tight class breaks based on PHRF rating.

“For 2019, NOSA will include the PHRF Performance Factor for class assignments,” NOSA staff stated in a released statement. “For participants, this means that sailing skills will have more effect on the outcome than random weather events, which means more fun and well-earned wins.”

Adding the new ULDB classes would allow for increased competition and qualitative racing, NOSA staff added.

Those who are eligible to race in the international regatta must register and pay the required entry fee by 5 p.m. on April 11. The entry fees are $545 for yachts 50 feet or longer and $445 for vessels marching less than 50 feet.

The Newport to Ensenada event is actually one of three events concurrently taking place during the final weekend of April; competitors can also participate in the Newport to San Diego and Newport to Dana Point races.

Perpetual trophies, such as the President of USA (Best Corrected Monohull) and Alice Pursell (Best Corrected Multihull) will be up for grabs.

Sailing instructions will be available on April 11. Contact NOSA at 949-644-1023 or info@nosa.org for more information.