J/145 Takes MEXORC Silver!

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- The MEXORC Trophy 2020 took place over a three-race series that starts with the famous Puerto Vallarta Race from San Diego, CA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It has proven to be a popular event over the years since the series ends with an amazing awards ceremony in Puerto Vallarta.

It is not hard to see why the MEXORC Trophy continues to attract sailors from around the world. Fun racing. Amazing hospitality. Sailing on the azure waters of Bahia de Banderas with whales, sharks, sunfish, flying fish, wahoo, dorado, tuna, lobster, and good Lord knows what else. It's a seafood fiesta, sailing fiesta to excite the senses.


Notably, Roger Gatewood's J/145 KATARA took 2nd in the ORR 5 Class in the Puerto Vallarta Race, then managed to post an overall record of 5-5-2 for the MEXORC Trophy to take 3rd overall! Job well done...and, notably, just about a week before Mexico went into "shutdown/ lockdown" mode in Mexico as well. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/70 Mexico Regatta Report

(Valle de Bravo, Mexico)- The new year had started off well for "nuestros amigos" in Mexico. The 2020 Mexican J/70 Circuit blasted off with a lot of enthusiasm and families and teams looking forward to a winter/spring regatta series across the country in some of the more famous "watering holes" in Mexico. 

Here is the brief report from Mexican J/70 Fleet Captain Ignacio Perez Morett, just before the world went off the cliff and into the abyss of the pandemic.

"We started this year with the first two J/70 Mexico regattas in 2020. The first regatta was held in Valle de Bravo at the La Peña Sailing Club, over the January 11th to 12th weekend, with the participation of six boats.

The top of our leaderboard had some of our most exceptional sailors. Winning was Hector Guzman's ESCIPION, followed by Diego Reyes' RAGTIME in second and Roberto Escalante's LAMPUGA bringing home the bronze.

Our second regatta was sailed off Puerto Vallarta on January 18th to 19th on the famous Bahia de Banderas, famous for being one of the world's most beautiful places to sail, with its highly reliable 10 to 18 kts seabreeze that builds like clockwork from 11:30 am onwards.

In this regatta, we had eight boats participating. Wow! I can tell you from my personal experience, the competition was getting significantly better over last year! The leaderboard was comprised of Fernando Pérez Ontiveros' BLACK MAMBA taking class honors, with José Luis Pérez Morett's AMIGO earning the silver, and Eduardo Cano's CHILCANO holding the bronze medal."

Like many other J/70 sailors around the world, they are anxious to get out sailing again in a socially responsible way-- perhaps, a Doublehanded J/70 World Championship, anyone? Anywhere? Serious!? Why not!? Simple to organize, BTW.

Editor's note- "Having done over 100 Around Conanicut Island circumnavigations (yes, that does include my J/World days in Newport), I can honestly say one of the most satisfying and enjoyable were my last two double-handed around the island races.  Ironically, the first was a complete lark.

A good friend at Ida Lewis Yacht Club- Dan Faria- offered his Shields 30 ft. classic, beautiful, day sailor to do the race. Of course, we took him up on his offer, as it was the first (of three) Round Jamestown races that summer- Cafe Zelda's version is always the first. It was a blast. Spectacular day in Newport. Sunny, a gentle seabreeze blowing out of the south/ southwest.

Our principal competitor was a green Shields from Jamestown with SIX guys aboard, about average weight just a bit north of 250 lbs (our best guess, they looked like NFL offensive linemen). Most importantly, when asked what was in the Igloo Cooler in the middle of their cockpit before the start, they simply replied "beer". LOL. As is the tradition of the Round Island race (a day race, thank God), the partying had started early, like pre-noon.  So, after the start, they were first to the weather mark. We were not surprised.

However, the several mile downwind run from Beavertail Light to the top end of Jimmie-town proved to be their undoing. One wonders why!? LOL. A few missed shifts, a missing beer over the side, and they were done. Never saw them again... we simply gybed the Shields downwind, 470-style with tiller between my legs, handling both spinnaker sheets, while Julia gybed the spinnaker pole standing at the mast... a bit difficult sometimes, of course. Conversation during each gybe was, as you might imagine, along the lines of "What the hell honey, ease the sheets and bear off for God's sakes"...and, some other choice expletives hurled in the skipper's general direction.

The subsequent round island race was on a J/70. It was a "no dramas" circumnavigation. Fast. A blast. Perfect day. We had a scream as it reminded us of sailing in dinghies, like 470s, Hobie 16s, and International 14s. Upwind was simple, since the jib on a J/70 is easy to trim by anyone- young, small, old, man or woman. Downwind, gybing all day long was a complete "no-brainer". Having reflected on our Shields experience the previous year, it was laughably easier and more enjoyable. Change tacks, change gybes? Simple. Let go one sheet, pull the other, all day long.  Perhaps a consideration for the near future for J/70 events? And, true for offshore sailors, as well! Think J/88s, J/99s, J/105s, J/111s, J/121s, J/122s, truly the simplest, easiest boats to sail offshore double-handed, ever.  For more J/70 and J/70 Class sailing information. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Puerto Vallarta Race Preview

(San Diego, CA)- Held bi-annually, anticipation has been building for the 2020 Puerto Vallarta Race as race day approaches. Hosted by San Diego YC, the 1,200 nm race has been famous for two elements- the classic spinnaker-driven sleigh ride down the Mexican coast to the end of the Baja Peninsula, then a left turn at Cabo San Lucas across the Sea of Cortez, to the finish line off Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico that is at the opening of Bahia de Banderas (Banderas Bay).

The race has always attracted J/sailors of various stripes and experience over the course of time.  This year, two veteran offshore racing teams will be going at it hard in a 1,200nm dog-fight for offshore supremacy. One of the protagonists is well-known in SoCal racing circles; that is Mark Surber's J/125 DERIVATIVE from San Diego YC sailing in ORR 3 Division. The other is a first-timer to the event, Roger Gatewood's J/145 KATANA from Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa, Florida that will be sailing in ORR 5 Division.  For more San Diego to Puerto Vallarta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

When the Effort is Worth the Reward

(San Diego, CA)- Preparing for an offshore race is an arduous task, but when the destination is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the effort is worth the reward. Ullman Sails’ Keith Magnussen reports on the final days before the 1,000 nm San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race.

Last year was relatively mellow for Team Timeshaver, as our only offshore race on the J/125 was the NHYC-Cabo San Lucas race and, like a majority of boats, we dropped out due to a real lack of wind. Needless to say, we have been really looking forward to the PV Race.

We ended up with a good amount of time to prepare the boat and Viggo Torbensen (owner) has really done an amazing job in getting the boat ready. After a trip to the boatyard, some new sails and new additions to the crew, we are finally feeling ready. Our team is fortunate to have Erik Shampain joining us, as he is someone I have known since I learned to sail in Oceanside nearly 30 years ago (wow) and sailing with friends is what I am into.

We have spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on the boat. We tuned the rig, looked at new sails, tried some new configurations for reaching (will elaborate after the race!) and installed the mandatory AIS.

Viggo Torbensen has been working tirelessly to get all the details finished. Not often you witness a boat owner take so much responsibility with boat projects, and it is truly astonishing how many things Viggo juggles to make this all happen. It is a pleasure to be part of his team.

The race itself is one of my favorites. Yes, you might get some light air in the Sea of Cortez, but the marine life spectacle makes up for it in many ways. On Transpac, you see relatively nothing for a week and that can get a bit monotonous. In the 2016 PV Race, we actually took a sail by the Arches in Cabo (yes I have pics to prove). We had a fun morning being entertained by boats and jet skis. This might have cost us the race, but hey, it is a talking point forever now.

With our March 2 start approaching we can finally talk about the weather. It will be a bit cold to begin, and maybe some rain, but promises to get warmer with each day. There will be some wind, and maybe some light spots followed by a puff. Standard Mexico racing!

The fleet this year is fairly interesting. Some big boats, a couple bigger boats, and some smaller boats make this a well-rounded entry list. I think that a big multi-hull will finish first, followed by a big mono-hull. We are hoping to do well overall and win our fleet. It will be tough due to the amount of amazing sailors out there, but we are confident in the boat and our abilities. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/125s Crush Puerto Vallarta Race

(San Diego, CA)- For the first roll call of the 2018 Vallarta Race, it was clear that Peter Isler’s weather briefing the morning before had been spot on. “You’re going to have a banner evening with full moon and full breeze…” he advised.

At Peter Isler’s very detailed pre-start weather briefing for the Friday starters (Division 6, 5, and 4) Peter mentioned the Friday starters drew the proverbial “Short Straw” – alluding to the less favorable forecast for boats leaving Friday. But, observations from the start line showed full sun, winds 10-12 kts from 230ish degrees. The velocity will be lighter Friday night, but sailors are expected to avoid the impact of a low-pressure system filtering down the west coast.

“I’m feeling very excited. It’s been awhile since I’ve been offshore, so I’m really looking forward to getting out under the stars and having some nice quiet sailing with my friends. I’m lucky enough to be sailing with my dad, John, who is navigating. It sounds like it’s going to be a little light, which simply means we get to enjoy the ocean for that much longer I guess,” commented Erik Shampain who is sailing on Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER.

And, although the forecast had diminished in severity for Saturday, the velocity will be up and the direction will be down…or rather more southerly. Saturday starters are expected to be beating for most of their first day. The winds will back and become more southwesterly as they progress down the coast and into the evening.

Mark Surber’s J/125 DERIVATIVE issued this report on Friday, March 3rd, 1330 hrs:
“We are enjoying a beautiful day, 70 degrees, sun, blue water and winds slowly going right to a Westerly... not always this nice, so pretty happy here!

Friday's start was typical... aggressive and leading out. Four boats in our class (Timeshaver, our J/125 sistership; Fast Exit, a beautifully redone Andrews 40; and Fractions a turbo 1D35), all got away clean and picked our way out the harbor towards the Coronado Islands. We and Fast Exit took the highest line with the others a bit lower. We were the first to reach the islands and elected to go between North and Middle Coronado Island. Fast Exit and TS to the left of Middle Island. They snuck through nicely and came out abeam and to leeward. As the inshore route was forecast to be light, we and Fast Exit stuck to our plan of getting ~20-25 miles West of Todos Santos. Timeshaver went a bit lower and in the end paid off as they came out ahead of us this AM. They are currently off our Starboard bow and offshore from us (probably 6-8 miles closer to the finish). We are positioning ourselves to line up close to Cedros to cut distance off the easterly turn and perhaps gain a few back. Long ways to go. We shall see...

Everyone is doing well, well-fed (beef burgundy for last night dinner, fresh roll and frozen chocolate truffles for dessert. Today's breakfast was chorizo, egg and cheese burritos. Tonight's menu includes cage-free pork and wild rice with devils glazed chocolate brownie surprise. Not bad for a one-pot stove (thanks to Ian and Rob for putting these meals together!).

Everyone says hi and is setting up for another long-night battle. Hopefully, no more rain!”

Saturday Update
“It’s going to be Champagne Sailing…” a phrase meant to bring to mind ‘optimal’ sailing conditions. In the case of the Puerto Vallarta race, it would bring to mind a full moon lighting the seas at night, fresh winds of 12-15 kts aft of the beam, and long ocean swells just large enough to lift the transom and give your boat a little invisible push, followed by a subtle roar of your bow wave peeling past the hull.

Between rain squalls, the fine tuned sailing teams leaving Saturday were not so much concerned with the sunshine as much as the wind direction and velocity.  West of south, and as much as possible are the answers to those ‘wants’. Unfortunately, the quickest boats in the fleet are going to have to press through some unstable southerly winds as the anticipated arm of a  pressure swings through southern California.  By Saturday night, weather models show the boats reconnecting with the regularly scheduled westerly trade wind patterns.

Sunday, March 4- 1300 hrs- J/125 DERIVATIVE update
“Mostly sunny, 18-22 kts wind good rollers and back sitting in first.  Good times, but still a long way to go!

As hoped last night, the inshore passage at Turtle Bay paid off and we gained massively, retaking first from our sistership and catching the quicker boats ahead. Good routing was part to blame, having solid breeze and waves always helps! Lots of high teen boat speeds and many 20s. The boat is a washing machine, but no one gives a crap when we're ripping! Yee haw!

Next tactical decision is Mag Bay. That ETA is about 1 AM tonight. That said, we are a little perplexed where our competition is as their YB Tracking system is apparently on the fritz. Suuure it is. That said, we snuck a  private antennae on their mast before leaving the dock and the jokes on them! (OK. Just kidding...) While we are on a long distance race, this is still buoy racing. Know where your competition is, stay in the pressure and stay between your competition and the finish. I think we know clearly how to do two of three, but will for now keep it a secret which we are less confident. Time will again tell.

Dinner: Ian is currently icing his elbow on dinner. Not sure why, but it is thawing quicker with his generosity. He's OK, but I think the wait to beer-thirty at the finish got a little more real.

Just hit another 21 kts boat speed. Hard to type on spin cycle... gotta run and get me some of that!”

Monday update- March 5- 1620 hrs
“Here I sat, tired and dirty, hoping like hell that we didn't screw the pooch - but then...

Touching back on yesterday, very fast, very wet, very good. Still in first! As mentioned the Saturday night Cedros "corner cut" paid big time and set us up for an epic day of planing in close quarters with Timeshaver. Before getting to that... Fun breeze (mostly 18-22 kts, with a few 25 knot puffs late in the evening). While our goal is to always stay straight and maintain solid average speeds and prolong wave rides, the occasional (ahem, Pike) stray occurs and large speeds are reached. Pike was the day's master with 23 knots, I was in a solid 5th with a few 21s. Other than that, lots of 20s and sustained 18-19 knot runs each a minute or so at a shot. Great surf, right direction, crap-load of water (a little down below... maybe all of it), and fun breeze. Good times! Oh! I failed to mention the huge moon! Wow! Doing 20 knots while surfing across moon sparkled ocean is spectacular. It's why we do these events!

Back to the point, Timeshaver did a great job reeling us in, and after several hours of hauling ass and a few jibes, we were able to pull back away. We ultimately separated about 1 this AM (they stayed on an in-shore path, we headed out). Fun playing with you guys!

In the middle of this goings-on, Ian made another stellar meal. Jambalaya, and jumbalaya. As this was a pot full of food and paper bowls, and flat out blasting off waves, there was zero need for sides. Only time for a quick shovel. Another solid effort!

So what has happened since then? As mentioned, we split with Timeshaver. All our forecast models said light inside today and that we need to go wide and far past Cabo to miss the huge wind shadow.  All according to plan until today's new weather arrived... a bit late as we had already made our bed. That said, while we had zero second guessing (OK. Maybe a little), it was entirely satisfying to just now have Rio100 go blasting by a quarter mile to weather. If they're doing what we are doing, my confidence just went way up. Hope we aren't both idiots. Tomorrow will tell the story. Did our competition, who appear to be heading for a tight turn at Cabo do better? Or did our path, much longer sail, much further South, pay. We will know at roll-call. Please send us good vibes!”

Well, all good things must come to pass.  In the end, it was the “little guys” against the “big guys” in this year’s PV race.

Incredibly, the J/125s proved, yet again, why they are so notoriously fast offshore against the best the world has to offer.  Viggo Torbensens’s TIMESHAVER won the bruising battle between the top two J/125s in their final approach to the finish line off Punta Mita, taking 1st in Division 6 and 2nd overall!  Taking 2nd in class and 5th in fleet against the world’s best offshore SoCal sailors was Mark Surber’s DERIVATIVE!

More news later on this incredibly epic battle for class supremacy and overall offshore domination by these J/125 grand prix crews!  Congratulations to both teams for an amazing performance!  Sailing photo credits- Bronny Daniels/ JOY SAILING- http://www.joysailing.com
For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing and YB Tracking information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

25th Anniversary Banderas Bay Regatta Preview

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- Who would've thought that when a few yachtsmen got together in 1992 to have a little fun regatta, that 25 years later the event would be going strong, and one of the largest and most popular cruisers' events on the west coast?

This year, BBR will celebrate 25 years, and the organizers intend to make it something special! There will be an event that celebrates some of the past regattas, and helps everyone to remember all the great sailors that have come before!

This year's event will be from February 28 to March 4, 2017. The regatta starts off with the famous kick-off party at the Vallarta Yacht Club, and ends with the legendary BBR beach party. In between, expect a little old, a little new and all fun!!

Remember, when you participate in the Banderas Bay Regatta, here is what you get:

• Two Banderas Bay Regatta shirts!
• Two Banderas Bay Regatta hats!
• Two Tickets for dinner opening night (can be used for any of the VYC dinners during the event)
• A BBR 25 burgee to fly with pride, making your boat the envy of the anchorage where ever you go! This is a special edition and only competitors will get them!
• Two tickets to the most kickin’ ass beach party of the season!

Terry O'Rourke, founder of the Banderas Bay Regatta, loves to tell the story of the boat that was finishing the regatta in first place, calling the race committee to tell them he was dropping out of the race because he caught a fish.

To celebrate 25 years of cruiser racing in Banderas Bay, let's go fishing!  The second day of racing for Banderas Bay Regatta XXV will include a fishing tournament. The tournament is open to all boats, pangas, dinghies, sailboats, paddle boards, kayaks and inner tubes! No handicaps, just fish inside the bay. If you are not already registered in BBR XXV, just pay the registration fee for the fishing tournament.

Fishin’ starts at 7am and finishes at 12pm.  At 1 pm, races will begin.  At around 5pm, we'll have a fish weigh-in on the Paradise Village Marina docks, then we'll head to Vallarta Yacht Club for a fish BBQ to share the bounty of beautiful Banderas Bay!!  Fresh sushi?? Or, will it be awesome ceviche with lime and tequila!  Nevertheless,  awards will be presented by Harbormaster Dick Markie for best and worst fishermen.

Have fun, eat, dance and celebrate 25 years of Banderas Bay cruiser racing!  Joining the fun so far are pioneering J/sailors.  For starters, there is the J/105 SINFONIA NAUTICA skippered by Bart Smit.  Bart’s crew of intrepid adventurers includes the following rockstars:

• Eugenie Russell- Puerto Vallarta- nobody knows what planet she is from, but great sailor
• Pascal Desrosiers- owner with Bart from ABYC Toronto- Just sexy anywhere
• Gitte Frederiksen- ABYC Toronto member- Danish sailor and Sailing Goddess
• Kyle Harvey- ABYC Toronto- Hercules, single and looking
• Nicholas Bolden- ABYC Toronto- The professor (we think)
• Monique Lafleur- SDYC- San Diego- Tactician & Bow Goddess

Then, if the J/105 crew is leading the J/fleet home each day, not far off their transom should be the local J/80 crew- skippered by Rush Faville from Vallarta YC in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico.  More good times to be had by these crews and, surely, some great reports about fresh sushi and ceviche with cervezas on the docks!  YUM YUM!!  For more Banderas Bay Regatta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

The K-Mag Puerto Vallarta Race Preview

(San Diego, CA)- “K-Mag” (a.k.a. Keith Magnussen from Ullman Sails Newport Beach) is getting ready to race again on Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER on the Puerto Vallarta Race from San Diego to PV, Mexico.  Here’s the latest word from K-Mag as they get ready to rumble in this weekends start (thanks to SailingAnarchy.com):

"Here we go again.  Another journey down the coast of Mexico might seem like déjà vu, but this time it feels so much different.  You are probably thinking, “What could possibly make this trip so different?”  Easy to answer if you skipped ahead or already know who we have coming.  This year I have decided to spend all my sailing time with the Shampain family and we have hired John Shampain to navigate us down the coast (his son Erik is the tactician on board the C&C30 Loco).

With John came long time offshore sailor Tom O’Keefe who is one of the better driver/trimmers around.  New guy Mike “Polish” Radziejowski joins as fill in bow for Cody Schlub who is off with my inshore program “Loco” in Miami.  Mike works for Ullman Sails San Francisco so it is good to have another Ullman player on the boat.  Blake Hamilton, Viggo Torbensen and I have been the core group of the team for the past 4 years and know the boat well.  I am happy to just focus on making her go fast and have the Hippy put us in the right direction.

What excites me is the chance to sail with the Hippy (John) who I have known since my days in the junior program at Oceanside Yacht Club.  Preparing for this journey has been an experience all on its own.  The Hippy is not so much of a hippy when it comes to boats… he is more like a dictator, which is one thing I admire about him.  Everything has been thoroughly thought through and every situation accounted for.  We still have some projects and bugs to iron out but it would not be the Timeshaver without a last minute fire drill.  I am sure that the hairs on the back of the Hippy’s neck are standing up right now.

I guess I should talk more about the race?  There are some boats in our fleet, and some other big boats in another fleet, and a bigger boat sort of all on its own, and a big boat with more hulls.  Some are blue, others white, and some have kitchens that make real food.  We will sail with the coast on our left and make maneuvers and try to go fast.  Sometimes we will go faster than others and sometimes not.  In the end, we cross a sea and end up in PV.  We are looking to do well and hope that with a little bit of luck we can improve on our second place overall in 2012 (I think that was the year but don’t quote me).

I got a call from the Hippy this morning and the long range forecast looks good.  Last time I did it on this boat we saw 30kts of wind for nearly 3 days and had an epic ride down to Cabo.  Perhaps we can get a front to push us all the way to PV this time?  The earlier we get there the sooner I can surf!

Sailing with my friends is a must (read any of my stories and you will see this) so the chance to race with this group is something that I have been thinking about for a long time.  2016 has already been jam packed for me and this is another journey for me to learn and grow from."

Puerto Vallarta Race Preview

(San Diego, CA)- 1,000nm to Paradise! The Vallarta Race, the epochal run from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta, starting on February 19th will be the 32nd time San Diego Yacht Club and their sailing friends in Mexico have coordinated a superb regatta for ocean yacht racers. Since 1953, our West Coast sailors have left winter behind and enjoyed the sportsmanship and friendship typical of this storied event that is sailed by some of the best sailors and fastest boats in the sport, making it keenly competitive.

Said one veteran PV Race veteran, “my memories from participating in the Vallarta Race in 2000 are still vivid: steady breeze and following seas, the boat releasing down one cresting wave and gliding up the back of the next one, the rigging groaning as a puff contributed to our speed, and every night having to wear less under our foulies until we didn’t need them at all. Then hanging a left past Cabo and heading east to paradise with rum drinks just past the sunrise. It will happen again in 2016 to all who participate: fast sailing, beautiful ocean and skies – sun, fun and relaxation after the finish!”

Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER is racing Class 4 against some turbo’d Farr 40s and their annual arch-rivals, the SC 50 HORIZON! On board with Viggo will be Keith Magnussen from Ullman Sails in Newport Beach- - read about his impressions below about the upcoming race.  Also participating will be J/World’s HULA GIRL, an SC 50 modified skippered by Wayne Zittel and J/World Performance Sailing School students.  Learn more here- http://sailing-jworld.com!

After a couple of days of rest and recovery and it is right into the MEXORC, February 28 – March 5, 2016. Banderas Bay reliably serves up steady sea breeze of 10 – 18 knots of wind with warm air and water. This series is traditionally a mix of windward – leeward races and a couple of point-to-point races.  For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information

J/105 Sailing/ Chartering in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!!

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)-  J/80 owner Bart Smit from Toronto, Ontario, Canada spends his winter time in Puerto Vallarta enjoying the spectacular, gorgeous waters of Bahia de Banderas all season long.

For J sailors anywhere around the world, you need to experience sailing in these beautiful waters that are favored by top Mexican sailors (like the current J/70 World Champion and J/24 Mexican National Champion!).  A daily seabreeze fills in like clockwork by 1200 hrs and builds to a benign 10-15 kts from the west on a typical sunny day.  Does that sound OK??  Well, let’s say this, if you enjoy other “seabreeze machines” like San Francisco, Newport, Buzzards Bay, Corpus Christi, Long Beach, then you will not be disappointed by PV’s extraordinary weather.

If this idea sounds too far-fetched for you, please be sure to contact Bart Smit about sailing/ chartering his J/105 in Puerto Vallarta!  Contact Bart at email- bartsmitj80@icloud.com.   Check out their J/105 Facebook page

Banderas Bay International Regatta Preview

(Bahia de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- The 23rd Annual Banderas Bay Regatta is scheduled to take place March 3rd to 7th, 2015. A well-rounded fleet of twenty-five boats ranging in size from 24 feet to 50+ feet is looking forward to a fun-filled week of music, good food, great camaraderie, and great racing.

This regatta is the one of the biggest cruiser regattas in the world and is the largest and oldest on Mexico’s west coast. For the past 22 years, the event has brought together cruisers as well as serious racers for a week of parties and yacht racing. Handicaps are calculated based on the fact that most competitors are loaded with gear; a dinghy or two, extra anchors, a complete sail inventory, and most likely lots provisions (refreshments, too). The idea is to have four days of fun and three days of racing on a body of water that is considered one of the greatest sailing venues in the world.

Richard Williams, the Rear Commodore of Vallarta Yacht Club and Chairperson of the 2015 Banderas Bay Regatta said, “If you are planning on cruising to Mexico’s west coast (or beyond), please consider joining us. Entry fees are about $77 USD and include 2 tickets to the Awards Banquet to be held on the beach at Paradise Village Resort in Nuevo Vallarta!”  The VYC truly enjoys rolling out the red carpet for visiting yachtsmen in their special corner of the world.

The Banderas Bay Regatta has enjoyed a proud history of providing competitive FUN for all classes of cruising and race boats in the tropical paradise of Vallarta, México. The balmy weather and consistent March winds make the protected Bahía de Banderas the ideal sailing venue on the Mexican Pacific coast.

The Regatta is a non-profit event hosted by the Vallarta Yacht Club, host to international regattas for serious racers, mega-yachts, and cruisers alike including such prominent events like the 2011 Pan American Games, J/24 World Championship & Mexican Nationals, and Opti Nationals & North Americans.

Why is the sailing area called “Bahia de Banderas” (the Bay of Flags)??  Apparently, in 1524 Spanish conquistador Francisco Cortés de Buenaventura arrived on the coast of this beautiful bay. Legends say that 20,000 warriors came down from the mountains above and assembled in the lush valley, into his path. Their bows, decorated with banners in a rainbow of colors, were so impressive that the Bay became known as the “Bay of Flags,” or Bahía de Banderas.  Today the bay is sanctuary to sea life including giant manta rays, sea bass, red snapper, sailfish, marlin, dorado, dolphins and more. Humpback whales come each winter to birth their young, and Olive Ridley sea turtles return each year to the nesting grounds along its shores.

Several J/Teams are participating.  In particular, the J/130 ITAJIME (seen here).  According to her owner Alan Robin, “last June, Aline (my wife), Millie (our dog), left from San Francisco, and we sailed out the Golden Gate and headed south. We just left the Sea of Cortez and are headed to mainland Mexico before crossing to the Marquesas in April. This is our first race ever and we are really in it just for fun and to meet other cruisers who really sail their boats. We would love to sail in one of the crewed categories, but we have no additional crew and will not be arriving in Banderas Bay until Tuesday evening. If you or anyone you know want to crew with us on our J/130, please drop us a short email at our SailMail account wdh5114@sailmail[dot]com!

Also participating is the J/109 JOYRIDE skippered by James Vickers from Encinal Yacht Club and San Jose, CA- another refugee from San Francisco Bay!  Joining them will be the J/24 JUGGS skippered by Ken Yachehcak from North Flathead YC on Flathead Lake, Montana (easily the long-distance travel award winner!) and also the J/80 SHIVA sailed by Rush Faville, a local sailor from Vallarta YC and Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  For more Regata Internacional Banderas Bay Regatta sailing information

SCIMITAR Repeats J/105 Chilean Championship

(Algarrobo, Chile)- Over a three-day weekend in December (the 6th to 9th), the last event of 2013-14 Chilean J/105 National Championship took place off Algarrobo.  An excellent, highly competitive field of seventeen teams were on the starting line, ready to do battle to determine the season-ending leaders for this hot local offshore fleet.

The weekend’s weather Gods smiled on the 105 sailors, providing them great wind conditions, with 10 to 15 knots southwest breezes (the best local wind) and enormous waves over 6.5 foot tall!

From the earlier regattas, it was clear the three teams that were dominating those events would have to settle in for a three-way battle for the top spots on the podium.  Or, they would have to contend with a “late bloomer”, a new team ready to ascend the leadership with better tacticians or crew.

Repeating as they had from 2013, Team SCIMITAR skippered by José Ugarte, finished in the first place thanks to their consistent 1sts, 2nds and 3rds.  Miguel Salas’ BIG BOOTY followed closely with 34 points to take second overall, but had to win a tie-breaker over the PLAN B team skippered by Jorge González.  PLAN B got the short end of that stick due to fewer top three finishes.

The Chilean J/105 fleet will race again in the "Sailing Week 2015", where many class and fleets join to celebrate this event. This will take place from 24 to 31 January of 2015 off Algarrobo as well.

J/125 HAMACHI Sails Fast Vallarta Race

All-stars Take 4th to Finish, 2nd Class & 2nd Overall!
(San Diego, CA)-  It’s just a thousand mile “slide” downwind along the Baja/ Mexican coastline towards Puerto Vallarta.  Our own Wayne Zittel, of J/World Sailing School San Francisco, said “So far, the Vallarta Race has been pretty much textbook. We started on Friday in a nice westerly, close reaching past Point Loma and into the Pacific. Before we had gotten to the Coronado Islands we were in the Code 0, then shortly thereafter the first spinnaker came up. We carried the 2A into the night, and wow, what a night!! Steady 12-14 knots and a nearly full moon lit up the slightly cloudy sky. As we work south, the sky gets clearer and the water bluer.”  The tracker showed the various sailing teams trading gybes along the Baja peninsula. “The winds have been steady enough but shifty,” notes one sailor, Karen Jewell. “At night, we have plenty of moonlight to keep the spinnaker in check and the stars and Pacific White-Sided Dolphins keep us company. But, there is way too much kelp out here!”

The 32nd edition of the biennial San Diego to Vallarta International Yacht Race started off Shelter Island, with Class 3 and 4 leaving on Friday (Mar. 14) and Class 1, 2, and Multihull departing on Saturday (Mar. 15). Both days provided summer-like conditions for the sailors to begin their 1000nm southerly slide toward beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Tom Siebel’s MOD 70 trimaran set a new course record in what amounted to moderate breezes all the way down the track, finishing is just 2 days 8 hours.

Another report comes from Bill Helvestine’s Santa Cruz 50 Deception, one of HAMACHI’s competitors that were about 100nm behind and have never been able to reel-in the J/125!  Commented Bill, “After drifting through another never-ending wind hole, with forecasts of even less wind, a turtle doing laps around the boat, and Expedition telling us we would arrive in Puerto Vallarta sometime in August, we decided to withdraw Wednesday evening while off of Cabo San Lucas.

We had experienced large periods of no wind over the last two days, and the gribs (weather files) showed little hope for improvement during the rest of the week. With over 300 miles to go to PV as the crow flies (and likely many more miles of actual sailing), we were concerned about even finishing by the time limit on Saturday night.” So, they ended up motor-sailing with the main up, doing about 7.5 knots, headed for Puerto Vallarta and completing the MEXORC.

Their story was an accurate depiction of what was taking place in the race, especially for those sailing closer to the Baja Peninsula, where the heating and cooling of the land plays mean tricks on the wind.

After the start and for the next four days, the J/125 HAMACHI was steadily sailing at a 1st in Class and 1st Overall ORR position.  They kept trading places with the Rogers 46 in front of them for the ensuing 36 hours to the finish as they crossed from Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, across the gulf, to the finish line off the westernmost cape of Bahia de Banderas, west of Puerto Vallarta.

As the only J/Team sailing, it was quite a performance.  Having assembled an all-star cast of mostly offshore & dinghy sailors from the Seattle area, Fritz Lanzinger’s tenacious Corinthian YC crew aboard the J/125 HAMACHI made a hell of a go at winning both class and overall.  Having top guns aboard like Jonathan McKee (yes, one of the famous McKee Brothers) and Trevor Baylis (Aussie 18 specialist from San Francisco) likely helped the crew sail at over 90% most of the time, playing the gybing angles fortuitously and staying in the hunt.

Team HAMACHI crossed the line at dusk on Wednesday, finishing at 18:02:12 PDT. Hamachi had a great run Wednesday, avoiding the wind holes that held up much of the fleet closer to Cabo and put themselves in a great position to win the upcoming MEXORC Regatta being sailed on Bahia de Banderas.

What’s remarkable about their race is they finished about 10 hours behind a custom 46 footer and missed corrected time honors by just 13 minutes! Oh my goodness, one can only imagine how many places the HAMACHI crew felt they could’ve made up that time!  Nevertheless, an astonishing performance in a light-airs downwind slide to Puerto Vallarta for the J/125.    Sailing photo credits- San Diego YC/ Bob Betancourt   For more HAMACHI Sailing team information, please visit their Facebook page.  For more San Diego Vallarta Race sailing information

Puerto Vallarta Race Preview

(San Diego, CA)-  Seemingly, it’s a simple race.  After starting off San Diego, it’s “Baja to the left, wind off the stern, and aim for the bar” in Puerto Vallarta.  Well, it can be that simplistic, but never seems to be. As one crew member wise-cracked about the race, “it’s a bit like the movie ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’, you never know when you’re going to be toasted, but it always happens.”  Therein lies the challenge for many on this race- “because it’s there” and because there have been tales told of endless days surfing down the Baja Coast with dolphins frolicking, giant whales breaching like leaping lizards all around you and brilliant twinkling stars shining from horizon to horizon at night.

The 32nd edition of the biennial San Diego to Vallarta International Yacht Race will start off Shelter Island at noon on both Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15 (smaller, slower boats first, big fast ones later). Twenty-five entries will embark on the 1,000nm southerly slide toward mariachis, margaritas, and beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The event starts off with the infamous “Kick-off Party” held at San Diego YC’s wonderful facilities on Thursday, March 13th. The great partnership between SDYC and the Mexican Tourism Board continues in 2014 with the Mexicans hosting of the party!

The only J/Team sailing happens to be an all-star crew from Seattle and San Francisco.  Don’t count out Fritz Lanzinger’s tenacious Corinthian YC crew aboard the J/125 HAMACHI. They’re sailing in Class 3 starting on Friday, March 14th against two Santa Cruz 50s (including Wayne Zittel’s J/World’s Hula Girl) and a Rogers 46 amongst a slew of other boats.  This crew is certainly capable of winning, having chalked up a 2nd overall in the 2013 St Maarten Heineken Regatta last year.  Top Guns aboard HAMACHI are Jonathan McKee (yes, one of the famous McKee Brothers you see sailing everywhere) and Trevor Baylis (from San Francisco).  For more HAMACHI Sailing team information, please visit their Facebook page    For more San Diego Vallarta Race sailing information