Nearly 100 boats will head from Point Loma into international waters this weekend. On Friday, Oct. 2 and Saturday, Oct. 3, the Southwestern Yacht Club in Point Loma will host its 46th annual San Diego to Ensenada International Yacht Race. “It has international flavor because we cross the Mexican border,” said regatta co-chair Carolyn Sherman. “It’s a great race to leave San Diego, and the distance is perfect to leave San Diego and sail to Ensenada.” Sailors will embark on the 62-mile voyage beginning late Friday morning and will finish between Friday night and Saturday afternoon, based on weather conditions. Sherman said the race is longer than other local offshore races, which typically cover 30 to 35 miles. As a result of the length, she said, crews are selected carefully. “Because it’s as long as it is and it goes overnight, the crew needs to be selected not only for their sailing ability but for their compatibility,” Sherman said. “You need to set up watches so that everybody can be properly rested.” The boats in competition will range from 24-foot boats designed for only two people to 75- to 100-foot Maxi boats. The San Diego to Ensenada race is different from other sailing races because it allows both racing and cruising sailors, the latter of which use engines. “The cruising sailors can use their engines with a penalty assessed for how much time their engines are running,” Sherman said. Last year, 94 boats participated in the race. Sherman said Southwestern Yacht Club hopes to have between 90 and 100 yachts in this year’s race. Sherman said this year’s addition has entrants from all over Southern California and a few from Baja California. In 2008’s race, Jelani, a Flying Tiger boat captained by Clieve Daem, won on corrected time. Sherman said the caliber of racers is high every year, allowing amateur sailors to compete against some of the world’s best, including local legend Dennis Conner. Despite the high level of competition, Sherman said the race is still a lot of fun. A party at the San Nicolas Hotel in Ensenada is held after the race to complete the weekend’s festivities. “It’s (about) the international spirit of cooperation that goes on between our city, our yacht club and the city of Ensenada,” Sherman said. Locals who want to see the fleet of racers depart Friday afternoon will be able to do so. Sherman said the best spot to watch the race is from atop Cabrillo National Monument. As for the club itself, Southwestern Yacht Club is rebuilding its clubhouse and expects to have work completed by the spring of 2010. The old clubhouse was torn down in May. “Most everything else is put on hold pending completion of the club,” Sherman said. Southwestern Yacht Club is located at 2702 Qualtrough St. in Point Loma. For more information, call (619) 222-0438 or visit www.southwesternyc.org.