Deepa BharathWhite sails fluttered in the gentle...

Deepa Bharath

White sails fluttered in the gentle afternoon breeze Friday over an

ocean that was almost the color of Sinatra’s eyes.

Through binoculars, several people on Ocean Boulevard watched

hundreds of sailboats take their positions for the Newport to

Ensenada race.

Massoud Balbas, who works in Newport Beach, said he was in awe.

“This is my first time watching the boats leave Newport,” he said.

“Look at this, it’s beautiful. The ocean, the boats -- they’re all

beautiful.”

Several families made a picnic of the event. Ilan Wolf of Irvine,

on paternity leave, came with his mother and 9-week old son, Evan.

“This is wonderful,” he said. “It’s a nice day out for us.”

Mark Smith of Newport Beach said he is hoping to enter the race

next year.

“It’s the largest sailboat event in the world,” he said.

Smith said getting into the race is a lot of work, from getting a

crew together to being at the start line on time.

Bruna and James Burbidge know that feeling. This is James

Burbidge’s 13th race, his 10th as skipper aboard the couple’s

sailboat, Faith.

“I pack the drugs, the Dramamine,” Bruna Burbidge said with a

laugh.

While her husband sails to Ensanada, she takes care of all the

arrangements on land. She drives over to Ensenada and participates in

the festivities, and then the couple take their sailboat back home to

the Channel Islands.

Faith has won two trophies. It came in second one year and fifth

another year, Bruna Burbidge said.

“This time, we have a total of six on board,” she said.

Her friend Lorraine Moon said she enjoys the event every year. Her

husband, Darrel Moon, was on board Faith during last year’s race. The

retired couple has lived aboard their sailboat in the Channel Islands

for the last 13 years, she said.

“This race is great because, first of all, it’s just beautiful out

here,” she said. “And then, when we go to Ensenada, we party with the

sailors and just relax. It’s perfect.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.