Looking for some luck

The crew of the Apollo V said they make it up to Newport Beach probably once a year, but what a time of year to come.

Leaning back on the deck of their yacht Thursday afternoon with cold Coronas, crew members relaxed for bit as they casually made last-day checks on the boat they hope to sail to victory in the world’s largest international yacht race today.

“Only real men run in this race,” said Ned Knight, Apollo’s owner who hails from San Diego. The comment was a light-hearted jab at the Border Run race, which is a shorter race for yachts from Newport Beach to the Mexican border.

This is the first time the Newport to Ensenada Race has had to deal with competition for the same day, officials said.

Competition or not, Newport Harbor is packed with plenty of seaworthy competitors, 272 to be exact, that are slated to race to Ensenada. The race traditionally averages about 400 competitors.

A combination of the sour economy, violence in Tijuana and the rival competition has hit the race this year — but for the participants, it’s all the same thing.

Crew members aboard Apollo V said winning the race is one-third boat, one-third skill and one-third luck. They have two-thirds of that formula, and are hoping for the luck to kick in this year so they can top their third-place finish in their class from 2008.

A key decision all sailors out in the blue have to make: to race on the inside tracks or venture further out to sea and catch some hidden wind, as the victors did last year before cutting back in and barreling to the finish first, said Skip Malthaner, crew member of the Apollo V.

Fewer racers, no problem. A different starting point, no problem. For many longtime competitors of this race, like John Erdahl from Santa Barbara, it’s about the camaraderie, he said.

The 125.5-nautical-mile race to Ensenada sets sail at noon today, with boats ranging in size from 18 to 80 feet.

The starting point is a half-mile north of the entrance to Newport Harbor, with various classes starting in 10-minute intervals until the last boats are past the starting point at 1:30 p.m.

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.