SAIL AWAY

Lolita Harper

NEWPORT BEACH -- Hundreds of sails, each teeming with a strong wind,

slashed the horizon Friday afternoon, as racers headed toward

Ensenada, Mexico.

The sails belonged to 460 boats competing in the 57th annual Tommy

Bahama Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race, billed as the world’s largest

international race. The start was broken down into 24 classes,

differentiating each vessel based on size, speed and crew size. New

to the race this year was a grueling two-man crew category, which

required two sailors to pilot their tiny, rustic vessels all night

with no shelter.

The biggest and fastest boats, including Magnitude and Alchemy,

lined up for the first start and garnered the most cheers. It was a

rough start as many spectator boats lined up too close to the start

line and the competing boats had to navigate around them, while still

trying to gather precious speed.

Crew members hollered from boat to boat and less than nice words

were exchanged. But the drama was drowned out by the various cheers.

And before long, all that could be seen were the majestic sails of

the 80-foot boats.

Santa Ana winds started at about 11 a.m. and then shifted, Bahia

Corinthia Commodore Barry Levy said. Later in the afternoon, they

shifted again, causing the various crews to make the necessary

adjustments.

“If it keeps shifting the good sailors will love it because they

can handle it,” Levy said.

Those in the know kept special watch of Dennis Conner’s Stars and

Stripes and Lew Berry and Andy Rose’s It’s OK, considered to be

sailboat racing’s finest. The two Alan Andrews-designed boats,

Magnitude and Alchemy -- skippered by Dick Compton and Doug Baker,

respectively -- were expected to be neck-in-neck in the first class.

Scott Kennedy, who has been the race’s official artist for 15

years, watched the various starts with enthusiasm, commenting on each

vessel as it gathered speed. The Ensenada resident travels to his

hometown each year for this one-of-a-kind event.

“I’ve been on a lot races but nothing like this,” Kennedy said.

“This is everybody. Everybody that can muster a boat and get here.”

Those who love the open sea but are not up to par with experienced

crews like the one manning Valkyrie also prepared for the

international race by stocking coolers full of beverages and

lathering on the sunscreen. Passengers said they planned to meet up

with the rest of the boats in Ensenada on Saturday to partake in the

merriment -- even if they are not the official victors.

“If you finish, you win,” Kennedy said.

* LOLITA HARPER is the Forum editor. She also writes columns

Wednesdays and Fridays. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or by

e-mail at lolita.harper@latimes. com.