Racers sail away from Newport to Ensenada, San Diego and Dana Point

Photo Gallery: The 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race

1/21

Racing yachts took off in different groupings, at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

2/21

3/21

Racing rivals Multi One Design MOD nr.02, left, and the ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe took off in what could be a record-breaking race at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. With this race, the Mighty Merloe was trying for the best elapsed time record it has yet to break. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

4/21

5/21

6/21

7/21

Two small racing boats took off in the Sprint race towards Dana Point at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

8/21

A sailor keeps en eye out for other nearby boats before the start of the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

9/21

The ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe waits for its turn to take off in what could be a record-breaking race at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. With this race, rthe Mighty Merloe was trying for the best elapsed time record it has yet to break. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

10/21

11/21

The ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe passes the Balboa Pier before setting off in what could be a record-breaking race at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. With this race, the Mighty Merloe was trying for the best elapsed time record it has yet to break. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

12/21

13/21

Dozens watched from the Balboa Pier as racing yachts took off in different groupings, at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

14/21

15/21

16/21

17/21

18/21

19/21

Racing rivals Multi One Design MOD nr.02, right, and the ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe, left, took off in what could be a record-breaking race at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. With this race, the Mighty Merloe was trying for the best elapsed time record it has yet to break. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

20/21

21/21

Racing rivals Multi One Design MOD nr.02, left, and the ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe came very close to each other before taking off in what could be a record-breaking race at the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, off the coast of Newport Beach on Friday, April 27, 2018. Three courses were started by 187 boats including the regular N2E course to Ensenada, a new Border Run to San Diego and the Sprint to Dana Point, all off the Balboa Pier. With this race, the Mighty Merloe was trying for the best elapsed time record it has yet to break. (Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

By Daily Pilot staff

April 27, 2018 5:45 PM PT

And they’re off.

Close to 200 sailboats headed south from the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach on Friday for the 71st annual Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race and its shorter companion races.

Most sailors were taking the classic 125-nautical-mile course to the Baja California coastal city, but smaller fields of about 20 boats each were running the 60-mile Border Run to San Diego or the 14-mile sprint to Dana Point, designed for high school and collegiate sailors in smaller boats.

Racers sail away from Newport to Ensenada, San Diego and Dana Point

More on this Subject