Strang anxious for the experience of 61st race

For many the Newport to Ensenda race is about skill and competition. But not so much for Bob Strang, a Cosa Mesa resident.

“It’s all just a fun party,” Strang said of the race that’s in its 61st year and begins today at noon in Newport Harbor. “It’s a serious race for most people and at the end of it is a fun party. But for me all of it is a great experience.”

The party actually started for Strang Thursday night. He shared laughs with fellow sailors at the Balboa Yacht Club, where he’s been a member since 1990. Afterward, he walked over to the Beer Bass Party at the Bahia Corinthian Club. Sunday, there’s sure to be more parties.

He knows the drill. He’s ready to set sail in the race for the 26th time. He’ll be in the Cruising Geniker C Class aboard his boat, Sky.

“The big tradition once you get there is to go to the Bahia Hotel and all the trophies are there,” he said. “The leaderboard is there with all the boats and classes. And, there are two concrete donkeys. Everyone stands around the donkeys and drinks margaritas.”

Amid the party scene, several sailors will be vying to win the event that’s being billed as the “world’s largest international yacht race.” They’ll try to break the record of 10 hours, 44 minutes, 54 seconds, set by Roy E. Disney’s Pyewacket in 2003. But a record-breaking time won’t likely happen because low winds are expected today through the night.

Doug Baker’s Magnitude 80, the defending champion, is known as the fastest-rated boat in the race. It’s in the Maxi Division, the top class of the race.

Just like last year, James Madden of Newport Harbor Yacht Club, will try to finish ahead of Magnitude 80. He came oh so close last year and ended up portraying the same emotion as the name of his boat: Stark Raving Mad III.

Madden and his crew dealt with very low winds last year, when more than half the starters failed to finish before the deadline of 11 a.m. Sunday.

Magnitude 80 finished just 12 minutes, 29 seconds ahead of Stark Raving Mad III. The two boats were at it again last month in the Corona del Mar to Cabo San Lucas Race. Stark Raving Mad III had its moments early, taking advantage of the wind, but Magnitude 80 ended up with its third Mexican race record in the last two years.

“I’d really like to beat Magnitude,” Madden said in a press release. Madden hopes to make up for last year in what could be one of his last races in Stark Raving Mad III. The boat is for sale, but Madden hopes to hang onto it until after campaigning it on the Great Lakes in races this year.

A celebration victory in Ensenada would surely be memorable for Madden.

— Steve Virgen