Corinthian sailors are amateurs whose love of sea and sail is demonstrated by racing in regattas year after year as essentially a hobby. John Szalay (wearing a blue cap and the light-colored shorts) is retiring after competing for 51 consecutive years in the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. Here the 79-year-old hoists a trophy with his crew after finishing first in class in the 2006 race.
Corinthian sailors are amateurs whose love of sea and sail is demonstrated by racing in regattas year after year as essentially a hobby. John Szalay (wearing a blue cap and the light-colored shorts) is retiring after competing for 51 consecutive years in the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. Here the 79-year-old hoists a trophy with his crew after finishing first in class in the 2006 race.
Longpre Photos
John Szalay and his crew prepare to start the 2015 regatta between Newport Beach, California, and Ensenada, Mexico. "You'd have to try real hard to find someone as competitive" as Szalay with his team," a race organizer says.
John Szalay and his crew prepare to start the 2015 regatta between Newport Beach, California, and Ensenada, Mexico. "You'd have to try real hard to find someone as competitive" as Szalay with his team," a race organizer says.
Courtesy of Newport Ocean Sailing Association
John Szalay immigrated to the U.S. at 21 when he left his native Hungary during its 1956 Revolution, arriving with his then-girlfriend, and wife since 1959, Edith and he's been sail racing ever since.
John Szalay immigrated to the U.S. at 21 when he left his native Hungary during its 1956 Revolution, arriving with his then-girlfriend, and wife since 1959, Edith and he's been sail racing ever since.
Longpre Photos
John Szalay's sailboat is whimsically named "Pussycat." Szalay asked his older son, then four, what should be the boat's name. "Pussycat," the boy said. It stuck ever since. Even the boom is playfully tagged with "meow." Rob Daugherty, a crew member the past 28 years, steers in this year's race.
John Szalay's sailboat is whimsically named "Pussycat." Szalay asked his older son, then four, what should be the boat's name. "Pussycat," the boy said. It stuck ever since. Even the boom is playfully tagged with "meow." Rob Daugherty, a crew member the past 28 years, steers in this year's race.
Courtesy of Rob Daugherty
John Szalay and his crew aboard the skipper's 34-foot-long Peterson sloop.
John Szalay and his crew aboard the skipper's 34-foot-long Peterson sloop.
Leslie Richter/Rockskipper Photography
The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race begins off the Southern California shore of Newport Beach.
The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race begins off the Southern California shore of Newport Beach.
Courtesy Rockskipper Photography
This year's Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race was marked by rogue showers -- but not enough to reign in the spinnakers of these racing sailboats.
This year's Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race was marked by rogue showers -- but not enough to reign in the spinnakers of these racing sailboats.
Courtesy Rockskipper Photography