TERRANCE PHILLIPS -- The Harbor Column

The water will churn as if a million piranha’s were feeding on an

unfortunate hunter having fallen out of his canoe.

You will hear blood curdling squeals, yells for help, screams for mercy,

banging, crashes and thrashing about. In spite of this fiasco, people

will laugh, sing, toast and cheer.

What I’m referring to is an event held on the last Friday in every April.

An event involving as many as 12,000 residents and helpers. An event that

is recognized as the worlds largest international yacht race -- The

Newport to Ensenada Race. The first race was held in 1947 as an

after-the-war excuse to party, drink a few long necks and head to Mexico.

Entrants included everybody from the rich and famous, to our local,

everyday yachtsmen. It was a very highbrow Corinthian affair requiring

yacht owners to bring along their white dinner jackets and their ladies

to wear long gowns and corsages. There was a ball held in one of the big

hotels in Ensenada, reserved only for elite yacht owners and skippers.

The crews were considered persona non grata and found other haunts and

hotels to frequent. Hussongs and the like can be forever thankful for

this race.

Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall were frequent competitors in this

annual event. Don Bren and his movie producer father won the first race

aboard their 87-foot sloop. It was a time of grace, elegance and big band

music. WWII was over, the world was finally at peace, and the economy was

strong. In fact, conditions then are similar to today.

This year the starting line will have a few changes, which should help

facilitate boats commencing their journey a little earlier. There will be

three starting lines, allowing more boats to leave at the same time. In

years past when the wind failed to cooperate, many boats never made the

parties, awards ceremony and the frivolity. Therefore, starting three

groups at one time will help some of the slower boats arrive a little

earlier.

This is one of the few sporting activities in the world that novices can

test their skill along side professionals. Boats from 20 to 150 feet

enter this race. Day sailors to offshore ocean racing turbos, line up

along side each other in anticipation of the starters blast. Ten seconds

after the bang however, the day sailors can’t even read the name written

on the turbos transoms -- but it’s fun no matter where you place.

* TERRANCE PHILLIPS is the Daily Pilot’s boating writer. His column runs

Mondays.