NEWPORT BEACH : ‘Flight of the Lasers’ Race Scheduled Sunday

Although it’s not the America’s Cup race and the small, single-masted, catboats are a far cry from the schooners and ketches of racing lore, Newport Beach’s annual “Flight of the Lasers” race, to be held Sunday, still has been the starting point for many blue-water sailors.

More than 100 entries are expected for the afternoon race, which marks the 50th time the small sailboats have competed on Newport Bay in what has become a local tradition.

Originally called the “Flight of the Snowbirds,” because of the wooden boats used in the race, the event was renamed in 1975 after organizers decided to replace the aging, wooden craft with more modern, fiberglass boats, known as “lasers,” used extensively in small boat racing.

The race, which begins at 1 p.m. at the Balboa Pavilion, will take about 90 minutes to complete, and the course, which circumvents the entire bay, will be marked in three spots by 40-foot yachts. The first-place winner will receive the Albert Soiland Trophy, named after the first commodore of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

Engraved with the names of past winners, the trophy has frequently been awarded to sailors who have gone on to participate in bigger races, including the America’s Cup, according to Bill Ficker, race committee spokesman.

Second- and third-place winners will also receive trophies, and special prizes for the first girl, youngest boy and youngest girl, oldest person and first married couple to cross the finish line will also be offered.

There is no charge for entering the race and sailors may sign up on the day of the event. They must, however, provide their own craft.