(San Diego, CA)- One of the classic West Coast long distance races is
starting Thursday, with Division 3 starting at 12pm Pacific time. In
this class is the J/125 TIMESHAVER sailed by Viggo Torbensen from Dana
Point Yacht Club. Viggo and crew are hoping the predominant NNW to NNE
winds prevail in the 15-25 knots range, prime surfing/planing weather
for the J/125 offshore speedsters. The weather forecast from Pedro
Isler looks promising, the question is not whether there will be wind,
but more like "how much wind" is in store for the fleet. The caveat, of
course, is that no matter what the predictions are at the start, "it's
never what it's supposed to be"!The Puerto Vallarta Race started many blue moons ago and originally went from San Diego all the way down to Acapulco, Mexico. Over time, it has been adjusted for a variety of reasons, but now it has settled on a 1,000nm course from San Diego, down the Baja Peninsula, past Cabo San Lucas off the tip, across the Sea of Cortez to a seaward finish off the point of Punta Mita at the opening of Bahia de Banderas. This finish was ultimately selected because of its proximity to the open ocean and to avoiding the predictable night time parking lot for boats trying to traverse the 12 miles across Banderas Bay to the PV’s harbors.
For the seventh time, Vallarta YC and Riviera Nayarit will be the gracious hosts of the SDYC Vallarta Race (which has previously sailed to Acapulco, Manzanillo, and Mazatlan).
Other J/Sailors of note, the STP 65 "BAD PAK" (the former "Bella Mente" now managed by Cal Maritime), is being sailed by J/145 BAD PAK owner Tom Holthus and crew-- hoping for a fast ride to PV! Also, J/Lover Dr. Laura Schlessinger is NOT racing her J/100 (nor J/125), but instead her custom 47 footer KATANA. Best of luck to all! Cheer on Vigo and the gang on the J/125 TIMESHAVER, you can follow them on YellowBrick For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information
