A new record can be heard in the wind

June Casagrande

For nearly a year, optimistic sailors have been clinging to the hope:

It could happen again. Strong winds from the northwest could once

again blow fortune onto Newport to Ensenada racers, who could once

again breaking records and setting personal bests.

Their wishful thinking just got a lot more realistic.

Early weather predictions give a good chance that winds of 25 to

even 30 knots out of the northwest could be on tap for the annual

yacht race when it departs Newport Beach at noon Friday.

“It depends on which weather report you believe, but it might

happen,” said Timothy Johnson, vice commodore for this year’s Newport

to Ensenada. “There’s a very good opportunity to be faster than last

year.”

The 2002 Newport to Ensenada was the fastest in history, with five

monohulls breaking Roy Disney’s speed record and most sailors setting

their own best times.

This year, Disney’s Pyewacket crew is back to reclaim their crown,

but they’ll have a lot of competition. By Tuesday’s entry deadline,

463 boats were signed up to compete in the 125-mile race to the

Mexican city of Ensenada.

Part of the reason last year’s race was so fast was that, while

the 20- to 22-knot tail winds weren’t extraordinarily fast, they were

consistent. Sailors were able to keep up a fast pace throughout the

night without any major lulls.

When the winds are this fast, most skippers agree that the best

racing strategy is to stick to the “run line,” which is to hug the

shoreline all the way down. When winds are lighter, it sometimes pays

off to take a slightly longer route, heading farther offshore in

search of stronger winds.

Sailors this year are covering their bases, checking weather Web

sites that paint a rosy picture, weighing the information against

more pessimistic predictions and preparing to be prepared, no matter

which way the wind blows.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.