Ohana and Richard McNish shine at Newport-to-Ensenada

NEWPORT BEACH — Richard McNish continues to defy aging, as the 91-year-old stood on Newport-to-Ensenada International Yacht Race’s awards stage for the second time in three years, this time bringing home the City of Ensenada Trophy for Best Corrected Time, PHRF G.

McNish, who helmed the 46-foot Cherrio II, also took home the New York Yacht Club Trophy for Best Elapsed Time, Single Hull/Divided Rig.

This year’s Newport-to-Ensenada Race ran from April 27-29, kicking off at Newport Beach and navigating south to Ensenada, Mexico.

New to this year’s sailing event were the Newport-to-Dana Point (Border Run Sprint) and Newport-to-San Diego (Border Run Race) segments.

Newport Ocean Sailing Association, or NOSA, organized all three sailing events.

Also celebrating at this year’s Newport-to-Ensenada awards ceremony was the crew aboard Ohana, which won the Best Corrected time for all PHRF classes.

An April 30 post on the Newport-to-Ensenada’s Facebook page enthusiastically recognized Ohana’s win: “CONGRATS OHANA!!!! To take home the prestigious PRESIDENT OF THE USA TROPHY, Joe Markee’s Sweed 55 Ohana stormed down to Ensenada with a corrected time of 15:54:48 to take top honors amongst all monohulls in the fleet.”

Silver Gate Yacht Club’s Mighty Merloe, meanwhile, claimed the NOSA – Best Elapsed Overall, Tommy Bahama – Best Corrected Overall, ORCA Maxi Best Corrected and ORCA Maxi Best Elapsed.

Other notable winners included Los Angeles Yacht Club’s Zephyrus (Lahaina Yacht Club Best Elapsed – All PHRF), Oceanside Yacht Club’s Pole Dancer (Caroline Star Best Corrected – All Female Crew) and Pierpoint Bay Yacht Club’s Wahoo (ORCA A Best Corrected, President of NOSA – Best Corrected, Alice Pursell Best Elapsed – ORCA, Stern-Choy Best Corrected – Catamaran).

Dennis Pennel’s Blue Blazes (San Diego Yacht Club) won the Best Corrected – PHRF A for the Newport-to-San Diego Race.

Jack McGraw’s Tekeela (Dana West Yacht Club) edged out Tom Garrett’s Sloop John B (Newport Harbor Yacht Club) and John Degenhardt’s Lickity Split (Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club) to win the Newport-to-Dana Point Race.

NOSA kicked of the 71st Newport-to-Ensenada International Yacht Race with the annual Mayor’s Reception in Newport Beach on April 26. Commodore Daniel Hodge welcomed all teams and dignitaries.

Racing kicked off from Newport Beach’s Balboa Pier on April 27, with three finish lines this year – the closest being in Dana Point, followed by San Diego’s Point Loma and then Ensenada in Mexico.

Those sailing the Newport-to-Dana Point Race would complete the competition on April 27; competitors racing to San Diego had to cross the finish line by April 28.

Other winners at the 71st Newport-to-Ensenada Race included Anais (Pacific Cup Yacht Club, Oregon), Paramethia (Dana Point Yacht Club), Tomol (Dana Point YC), Rylacade (Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club), Some Tuesday (Little Ships Fleet Yacht Club), Fatback, Hasl Free (San Diego Yacht Club), Freedom (Dana Point YC), Varuna (Balboa Yacht Club), Day Tripper II (Seal Beach Yacht Club), Problem Child (Bahia Corinthian YC), Medicine Man (Long Beach Yacht Club), Relentless (Long Beach YC) and Double Down (Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club).

Supporting yacht clubs for this year’s Newport-to-Ensenada International Yacht Race were: American Legion Yacht Club, Bahia Corinthian YC, Balboa YC, Dana Point YC, Lido Isle Yacht Club, Newport Harbor Yacht Club and Silver Gate YC.

Photo credit: Newport to Ensenada Facebook page