NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., October 27, 2020 – Despite ongoing uncertainties on the path to normal following COVID-19 restrictions, the Newport Ocean Sailing Association has announced one certainty – the 73rd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race will start off the Balboa Pier April 23, 2021.
Although still six months before the start of the 2021 race, the board is planning for the best; the historical full fleet sail to Ensenada with courses to San Diego and Dana Point but has prepared alternative routes, parties, and celebrations to ensure that the race, the fun, the camaraderie N2E is famous for, will go on.
“If for any reason Mexico becomes off-limits, we will switch Ensenada entries to the San Diego course,” said Commodore William Gibbs. “In consideration of this possibility, we have upgraded the N2SD course from a 60nm drag race into a challenging 100nm race into Mexican waters leaving the Coronado Islands to port. But there will be a race.”
The 2020 race would have been Gibbs’ 20th time racing N2E; and he’s won just as many trophies. But it’s more than the winning that keeps him coming back. “The people, the parties, the race, Ensenada, it’s all great. It was those factors that lead me to volunteer with NOSA,” he said.
Fortunately, sailboat racing is showing great signs of life with many offshore and closed course races getting back on the calendar, with COVID guidelines followed for the safety of everyone. The safety and the well-being of participating sailors and volunteers is a priority for NOSA so all activities will follow concurrent health guidelines.
The success of any race depends on its participants, and NOSA is asking for the sailing community’s ongoing support of N2E by entering. “N2E racers, while being safety conscious as always, deserve to have a good time on their boats again,” said Gibbs. “There are traditions and institutions, such as the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, that will persevere in the face of adversity.”
NORs are now posted on the NOSA Website and registration is open with an early bird gift of 2020 collector hats for entries confirmed by December 15, 2020.
