Gentlemen, trim your sails

Ahoy.

Many of skippers and crew members are likely nursing hangovers from the annual party held last night at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. I do believe that the club’s bash is one of the largest pre-race parties in the sailing circle.

In case you’re wondering what I’m talking about, today is the start of the 59th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. This is considered the largest international yacht race in the world, with 460 sailboats registered, as of April 26, that will cross over one of the two starting lines. The race is organized by volunteers from the Newport Ocean Sailing Assn.

This is a sight you need to see ? hundreds of sailboats maneuvering just seaward of Newport Harbor’s west entrance jetty. Everyone is invited to watch the excitement with me on the bluffs above Corona del Mar State Beach, Big Corona, starting at noon today. Along with my radio show manager, Chandler Bell, I’ll be announcing what is happening on the water, but watch out, as I’m coming prepared with a few of my famous jokes.

I know you’ve been waiting for my annual weather and sea predictions for the race, and I’m still batting a thousand. My crystal ball is showing that the race might be a little slow, with westerly winds at 10 knots or less at the start. The swells here should be small, perhaps 2 feet from the west. Past the Coronado Islands, sailors should watch for fog and a mixed set from the west and south, with swells building as high as 4 or 5 feet.

I’ll be curious to know how many sail- boats will be sailing to the west ? seaward ? of the Coronado Islands, and, more interesting, if anyone made the nighttime mistake of sailing between the rocks.

But keep an eye to the north for the cruise back home. I am seeing the central and northern California coast with 10- to 15-foot surf, and Point Conception has increased from 5 to 10 feet. Have a safe cruise home, and once you return to U.S. waters, find some protection from the Channel Islands.

For those staying north of the border, Mary Longpre, chair of race information, will be calling in again this year to my radio show. Mary will let us know which boats have finished, if any records were broken, and how the other racers are making headway.

In the past, I have seen and heard of racers colliding at the start line, erotic movies shown at night on the sails, and boats sailing past the finish line. Sailing past the finish line is hard to do these days with GPS, and at night there is a laser light at the finish line shining up to the heavens.

The tip of the week is for the racers to wear their lifejackets if the seas become rough, especially those on deck after dark. Also, I recommend that the skippers review emergency procedures and the location of safety equipment before heading to the starting line.

Remember to tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation every Saturday at noon. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” is on KCBQ-AM (1170) and can be heard online at www.boathouseradio.com.

Safe voyages.