Ensenada bound

Amid a gentle southwesterly breeze, 448 boats set sail Friday, some in a quest for the top prize, others just wanting to finish in the 60th Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race.

Several local sailors, including Newport Beach’s Jim Madden and his Stark Raving Mad III, hoped for a stronger wind at the start near the Newport Harbor jetties. But despite the calm waters, which stayed rather settled from 3 to 5 knots of wind, the atmosphere remained in high spirits for the world’s largest international yacht race. There were several costumed crews, including “the Keg Heads.�

Most of the crews that did not dress up were in contention for the Newport Ocean Sailing Assn.’s trophy, which goes to the boat with the fastest elapsed time. In the early going, Doug Baker’s Magnitude 80 from Long Beach overtook its strongest rival, Madden’s Stark Raving Mad III.

Final results are expected Sunday morning, but the elite boats could finish late Friday or early Saturday, said Rich Roberts, the race’s press delegate.

The fleet includes boats as small as 20 feet and boats four times that size, most built of fiberglass but some of high-tech carbon fiber and a few ancient mariners built of the original marine material: wood. Some had one hull, others two or three, all grouped into a variety of 24 classes calling for a dozen starts 10 minutes apart.

The cruising-class boats comprised about one-third of the total number. They’re allowed to use engines between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. but pay a proportionate time penalty in the final tally.

In addition to the sailing association’s trophy, Ensenada businessman Cesar Juaregui of Bajarama Tours has donated the Amigo trophy to be awarded annually to the race’s outstanding first-time competitor.