Of the one hundred seventy-nine boats that started, Reichel/Pugh-designed and Hart Marine-built 63' Aszhou (formerly RP63 Invisible Hand and Limit) continued a legacy of winning by setting a new Newport to Ensenada monohull record with a time of 09:35:34 over 125nm, destroying the 2009 monohull record of 10:37:50 set by Doug Baker’s Magnitude.
Ensenada, Mexico (April 23, 2016) – Of the one hundred seventy-nine boats that started, Reichel/Pugh-designed and Hart Marine-built 63' Aszhou (formerly RP63 Invisible Hand and Limit) continued a legacy of winning by setting a new Newport to Ensenada monohull record with a time of 09:35:34 over 125nm, destroying the 2009 monohull record of 10:37:50 set by Doug Baker’s Magnitude. The record prior to this was set in 2003 by Roy E. Disney’s 76’ R/P-designed Pyewacket with a time of 10:44:25. Although this was the first N2E for owner Steve Meheen on Aszhou, he has been sailing for 30 years, but admittedly getting more serious about the sport. “We got what we set out to do and had a great time; fantastic, really,” he said.
Aszhou corrected to 6th in the Maxi class, while Reichel/Pugh 68 Taxi Dancer corrected to 3rd.
Congratulations to all competitors, and a shout out to Reichel/Pugh Structural Engineer Dan Flanigan who raced aboard Aszhou.
by R/P Structural Engineer David Oliver
Aszhou History
Under Steve Meheen Aszhou Won First in Division 1 in the 2016 Puerto Vallarta Race, as well as the Rum Runner Race in 2015.
In 2011 Alan Brierty’s RP63 Limit (which went on to become Frank Slootman’s Invisible Hand and is now Steve Meheen’s Aszhou) set the Fremantle to Bali 1,440nm course record with a time of 6 days, 5 hours, 19 minutes, and 31 seconds and a trifecta win by placing 1st in both the IRC Division and the PHB Division.
Frank Slootman’s R/P 63 Mini Maxi Invisible Hand took 1st place in ORR Class 1 in the 2015 800nm Newport to Cabo Race, was the 2014 Overall Winner of the ORR West Coast Northern Series Championship and was the elapsed time winner and 3rd in Class of 2014 2,070nm Pacific Cup, and won first place in Division 1 in the 2013 2,225nm Transpac Race. Invisible Hand is the sister- ship to Loki who won the 2011 630nm Sydney-Hobart race and took second place in the 2012. Loki is now called Lucky, which claimed 1st overall in the 2015 Transatlantic Race which is the world’s oldest trans-oceanic yacht race. The New York Yacht Club ran its first Transatlantic Race in 1866.
Newport to Ensenada Race History
First run in 1948, the N2E has a storied history of mixing professional racers, celebrities and recreational sailors to become a time-honored steeped in tradition event for Newport Beach, the city of Ensenada and sailing enthusiasts who come from across the country to compete. More than 40 trophy categories in monohull, multihull and cruising classes give this a race a wide appeal. In recent years, great winds have tested and challenged the skills of crews, many who only sail overnight on this race.
source Laurie Morrison
Visit the builder’s website at hartmarine.com.au
For race details visit newporttoensenada.com
Visit Tom Walker for official race photos
Images provided by newporttoensenada.com and R/P Structural Engineer David Oliver