The World’s Largest International Yacht Race Takes to the Sea April 25, 2008

Newport Beach, Calif. (January 2008) – The 2008 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race start date was set by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA). The world’s largest international yacht race will begin its 61st run on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 12:00 noon (PDT) in Newport Beach, California and finish with an awards ceremony on Sunday, April 27 in Ensenada, Mexico.

The 2008 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race promises to be another premier event for spectators and racers, with over 450 boats expected to participate and a special emphasis will be on looking at the new generation of boats and whether the fastest times will fall this year.

“We are very excited that with good winds and the number of new larger and faster boats racing on the West Coast that the race records may be challenged,” said Gator Cook, this years NOSA Commodore. “The last two years have seen light winds and so the odds are in our favor that this will be a fast year.”

The 2008 race theme—“Finishing before Sunrise”—captures the essence of this annual Southern California sailing event and will be carried out in a painting by Howard O'Donnell. This years painting features Roy Disney’s “Pyewacket” which holds the record for the fastest monohull and Dennis Conner’s “Star & Stripes” America’s Cup Catamaran which hold the multihull record, when the late Steve Fossett chartered her for the ’98 race.

As an avid sailor, Gator Cook embraces the spirit of racing and fully understands what it takes to infuse it into a quality event of this capacity.  “Not only is it important for a race of this caliber to offer a great sailing event for everyone, but also an exciting, cutting-edge competition for the premier yachts,” said Cook, NOSA Commodore. The Cook family is very familiar with the Newport to Ensenada Race since Gator Cook’s Father Wallace Cook is a former NOSA Commodore and currently an international race judge.

Before the starting guns sound, NOSA will be hosting a series of pre-race seminars during the month of March. These seminars will be held from San Diego to Ventura. The seminars will look at the issues of prepping your boat for the race, the unusual environment at the starting line, race tactics, logistics of racing to Mexico as well as helpful hints on returning boats to the U.S. Check the NOSA website for dates and places.

NOSA is also pleased to welcome this year’s race sponsors which include, The Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Boat US/Vessel Assist, Mt. Gay Rum, West Marine, Ullman Sails, Sailing Pro Shops, Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club , Baja Bound Insurances and The City of Newport Beach.