The Border Run international yacht race goes from upstart to serious competition. 


There’s a new race on the scene in Southern California and in its second year, it’s seriously challenging the competing Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, which is also the event that spawned this new upstart.  The Border Run race covers roughly 80 miles from Newport Beach to – as the name says – the border.  Entrants can choose between a long course which rounds the northern island of the Coronados off the Mexican border (that’s what makes it an international race) and a short course which allows boats to turn in at San Diego without heading for the border.  The long race actually splits the Coronados in a type of U-turn and makes for a photo friendly upwind finish. 



The two founders of the race, Bob Long and Randy Reynolds, were turned away a few years ago from the Newport to Ensenada race because their multihull was deemed to be dangerous according to race organizers.  So what did they do?   They took their boat and started their own race and in year one managed to get 100 boats to sign up with 92 showing up at the starting line.  For 2010, they expect 185 boats and depending on the actual starters, that means they can pat themselves on the back with almost 100% growth by their second attempt.  With a war cry of “everyone’s invited”, this event has got a head of steam. 


The second annual Border Run definitely has a spirit of inclusion and is for young and old, novice and expert sailors, and all types of vessels including maxis, cruising monohulls and all sorts of multihulls.   First timers can race without even having to be members of a yacht club but the race also has credibility as eight sleds have joined including Akela,Grand Illusion, Holua, OEX, Condor, Cheetah, Alchemy and Medicine Man, making this more than a cruising meander to the border. 


More legitimacy came when Scot Tempesta, owner of Sailing Anarchy, entered his Flying Tiger 10m, Anarchy.  The go-to site for sail racing and sometimes irreverent commentary, Sailing Anarchy brings quite a bit of street cred to this year’s Border Run. 


So what’s their secret?  Why is this the fastest growing race – probably in the nation?  Tune in tomorrow for a look at why The Border Run is gaining so much popularity. 


 

Written by: Zuzana Prochazka
Zuzana Prochazka is a writer and photographer who freelances for a dozen boating magazines and websites. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana has cruised, chartered and skippered flotillas in many parts of the world and serves as a presenter on charter destinations and topics. She is the Chair of the New Product Awards committee, judging innovative boats and gear at NMMA and NMEA shows, and currently serves as immediate past president of Boating Writers International. She contributes to Boats.com and YachtWorld.com, and also blogs regularly on her boat review site, TalkoftheDock.com.