The hard part is done

Paul Clinton

NEWPORT BEACH -- The toughest part of Jerry Shandera’s job is

finished.

As commodore for the 54th annual Newport to Ensenada International

Yacht Race, Shandera has been in high gear for nearly a year.

It takes a yeoman’s effort to pull together an event as massive as

this -- the world’s largest international yacht race. With 440 boats

racing in 27 classes along the 125-mile course, a lot can go wrong.

“It’s a big undertaking,” Shandera said. “Planning and work on the

race begins not too long after the race is finished.”

Of course, Shandera doesn’t work alone. More than 200 volunteers --

involved in tracking race results, inspecting equipment and a dozen other

duties -- will help launch this year’s event.

The race, which will begin at noon Friday, has been sponsored by the

Newport Ocean Sailing Assn. since 1948.

At this point, Shandera has handed the event to his race chairman with

the race just three days away. During race week, Shandera plays host

rather than event manager for a series of ceremonial gatherings that lead

up to the send-off.

The 47-year-old Shandera first became involved in the event in 1990,

when a sailing friend suggested he chip in some free time to help

organizers. At the time, he had a 14-foot sail boat anchored at Lido

Isle.

“That’s where everybody starts,” Shandera said of his days as a

volunteer on the front lines.

In 1998, Shandera, who lives in Orange, served as race chairman.

The marathon race is tough on organizers, but even tougher on those

who brave the winds and choppy waters for more than seven hours.

The grueling event has held an iron-man appeal to sailing folk.

“It’s the distance and the ability to race against the best boaters in

the world,” Shandera said. “There’s just a special camaraderie that

attracts those that are interested in sailing.”

The event has certainly captivated Newport Beach and attracted a bevy

of familiar names over the years -- from Humphrey Bogart to Water

Cronkite. This year, America’s Cup legend Dennis Connor and Roy Disney

will pilot ships in the regatta.

“It’s been an extremely successful event,” Councilman Dennis O’Neil

said. “It’s great for Newport Beach, and it’s great for our sailing

community.”