Yacht race to Catalina and back starts Saturday

It may not be a lonely race, but if you plan on joining the South Shore Yacht Club’s Crew of Two race this weekend, you better like your partner.

The race of endurance is 36 hours long and permits only the small crew. Each person takes a turn at the helm while racers whirl from Newport Beach to Catalina Island and back.

The race starts at noon Saturday at the Balboa Pier.

For participants in the race, there will be a skippers meeting at 7 p.m. Friday at the Newport Beach Yacht Club to prepare for the event and go over any additional details.

The race pulls in about 80 entries each year in various classes, such as the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet of Southern California, non-spinnaker, Ocean Racing Catamaran Assn. and non-spinnaker cruising classes.

— Daniel Tedford