Silverware for J/Crews @ Puerto Vallarta Race

 (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- Traditionally, the 1,020.0nm race from San Diego, CA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has been blessed with at least 4-5 days of amazing downwind sleigh-rides offshore of the famous Baja Peninsula, with breezes often in the 15-20 kts range from the northerly quadrants. Not surprisingly, with the advent of various forms of climate change, the "new normal" was anything but a downwind sleigh-ride blasting around the end of the Baja Peninsula with a long, fast, port gybe into the finish line into the Bahia de Banderas.  In fact, it was one of the lighter races on record.

There were two J/Teams sailing in what had become a "drift-fest" for the first half of the race. Breezes built a bit more for the latter half of the race, but nothing like what the fleet had seen in past years.


To get a better feel of what was happening during the race, be sure to read the KATARA team's very good PV Race blog each day.  Here is their link:  https://pvrace.com/news/article/j_145_katara_race_blog

In the end, despite the challenging conditions, both boats ended up in the silverware in their respective classes. In the ORR 3 Class, Mark Surber's southern California team on the J/125 SNOOPY took 2nd in class and 13th overall. Then, in the ORR 5 Class, Roger Gatewood's Florida-based crew on the J/145 KATARA also managed to take a 2nd in class and 12th overall; beating their J/125 stablemate overall by just 30 minutes ORR handicap time after six-plus days of racing!  Sailing photo credits- Bronny Daniels/ JOY Sailing.com.  For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Puerto Vallarta Race Update

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- There are two J/Teams sailing the 1,200nm San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race this past week in what has become a "drift-fest" for the first half of the race, but building breezes towards the latter half. Mark Surber's J/125 SNOOPY has been doing well, as well as Roger Gatewood's J/145 KATARA.

KATARA's team has been keeping up a very good PV Race blog each day.  Here is their link.

To give you an idea of what life is like on an offshore 46-foot racing boat, here are a few excerpts below for you to enjoy:

*******
Friday, March 6, 2020, 1530
Position:  32 19N 117 9W
Speed:  8.5-9 kts
Distance to go: 986.1 nm
Weather: Sunny & Almost chilly - just gorgeous
Winds: 8-11 kts
Sail Package: Full Main, A1 reaching spinnaker.

And we're off! The start today at 1200 PST was light and uneventful. We fetched the edge of the harbor and before we knew it, we were cracking off just a few degrees and hoisting the new Tweener Code 0. Trent and Daniel muscled it up and Louis did the hoist. We picked up speed there, but it was only an hour before we were seeing the afternoon shift, we expected and were calling for the A1 reaching spinnaker.

Roger appeared to have a great time on the helm for the start and first few hours of the trip (It's his Birthday, btw, for those that done know!).

Trent is driving right now with Roger and Louis trimming the kite. We've already got several of the Green watch (JA, Neil, Daniel, Ron) below for their first rest session so they're ready to take over at 1800 PST this evening.

Very very light sea conditions with the breeze fairly light as well. Our current target for the rest of the afternoon is to try and lift off the coast to ensure we don't get stuck in the dead air region near shore overnight We anticipate a gybe sometime in the middle of the night to play back in towards the coast to play with the sea breeze tomorrow afternoon as that builds.

The boat is clean and dry and everyone is in great spirits so far. Less than 1,000nm to go!

*******
Saturday, March 7, 2020, 1845
Position:  29 1N 116 10.7W
Speed:  5-7 kts
Distance to go: 783.62 nm
Weather: Partly cloudy and chilly
Winds: Variable 280-310 @ 5-9 kts
Sail Package: Full Main, A1 reaching spinnaker, Spinnaker Staysail.

What a gorgeous day on the water for KATARA. While it was mostly cloudy most of the day, and even a bit chilly, we had an awesome day. The weather gave us slightly more pressure than we were anticipating, and we hope we've capitalized on that to get us south as quickly as we can.

All helmsmen and deck teams seem to be having a great time. I've seen wide grins from Louis and Trent specifically. Another big hit with the crew is the bean bag chair we brought alone for the spinnaker trimmers. Instead of avoiding spin trim duty due to standing or cricking your neck it looks to be one of the more popular postings. We've got a bunch of sails stacked on deck as well which have made for a pretty enjoyable sun bed for those off watch.

We've done some minor housekeeping and line management to make sure we stay on top of everything and we've gotten most of the crew several long uninterrupted sleep sessions.

All indications point to Roger having a great time. The report I got was that his birthday at sea was a great one.

The next 36 hours looks less promising. There is an area of high pressure that's being driven by a larger area of low pressure just outside it right on to our race course. As the breeze begins to clock right this evening and in to tomorrow morning we expect to see the velocity die off. We'll be approaching Cedros island sometime in the middle of tonight and will continue to analyze the latest weather files for options after that. Current thinking is that if, as the sun rises, it looks like it's going to be a clear day, we make for the beach and hope to capitalize on any land breeze that develops in the late afternoon. Other than that, I think it'll just be a matter of concentration for our deck teams to make sure we keep her moving along best we can in variable conditions.

In a dramatic divergence from previous races we've had a professional chef pre-prepare all of our meals for the trip and then vacuum seal them. Preparation entails nothing more than a pressure cooker with some water for about 15 minutes to heat them back up. Last night was Beef pot roast, tonight was grilled chicken, rice, and green peas with dinner rolls. Everything has been a huge hit with the team so far. I believe two pastas and a pork meal of some sort are on the remainder of the menu.

Wish us luck in dealing with this light air zone over the next 36-40 hours. We all hope you're having a great weekend so far - I know we all are

******
Sunday, March 8, 2020, 2000
Position: 27 35N 115 36W
Speed:  5-7 kts
Distance to go: 696.7 nm
Weather: Partly cloudy and chilly
Winds: Variable 345-005 @ 5-9 kts
Sail Package: Full Main, A1 reaching spinnaker, Spinnaker Staysail. Plugging in the Tweener on its tough luff for probably future deployment

Good morning shore friends!

While you were, hopefully, comfortably nestled in bed overnight the watch standers here on Katara were busy. The early evening hours saw pleasant breeze and good conditions as we played our target downwind numbers and tried to get as much south as we possibly good in an attempt to set ourselves up to deal with this area of high pressure currently descending on us. In the middle of the night JA's watch (Neil, Daniel, and Ron) executed a textbook gybe over to pot tack after we watched the wind shift NW to NNW. We are currently off a polar target plan and are now sailing a heading which should see us intercepting the coast by early afternoon in an attempt to capitalize on a potential land breeze this afternoon while there is near 0 wind further offshore due to this High that's sitting over us.

This is one of the driest races any of us can remember. I don't think we've taken a single wave anywhere on the boat. It's chillier than some of us imagined, and Foul Weather gear is still in use for the wind blocking properties

Last night's dinner was a hit: Grilled chicken, green peas, and rice. The daily breakfast burritos seem to be a crew favorite - we just finished feeding everyone a couple a piece. Sausage, egg, and cheese.

JA's watch just came off for some well-deserved rest (that 0200-0600 watch is a tough one) and Roger's team (Sam, Trent, and Louis) are now in charge of the boat for the next 4 hours. Roger is on the helm still looking to be having a great time.

We've sent Trent and Louis to the bow to prepare our Tweener sail for hoist with the anticipation that as this high progresses we will see breeze continue to shift to the right. We've also got a kelp watch set back up as we have seen several clusters come by. The boat is carrying a kelp stick and a flossing line and the first afternoon saw Sam trying to show some of the younger bow guys how they were used. A skill that apparently takes some finesse and practice. I'm sure they'll get it.

If you're the praying type send up a request to help us avoid the worst of the dead zones associated with this high through this afternoon and in to this evening.

******
Monday, March 9, 2020, 0800
Position: 26 4.4N 114 3.9W
Speed:  7.5-9kt
Distance to go: 568.8 nm
Weather: Partly cloudy and Chilly
Winds: WIND!!!! Glorious, GLORIOUS, WINNNND! Variable 060-080 @ 7-10kts
Sail Package: A1, wait no, Tweener?, Nope, that's not it either. Light Medium Genoa! Yes! That's the one!! Zoom Zoom

Wind. You glorious, GLORIOUS wind. All yesterday afternoon and much of the evening found Katara attempting to claw her way south in 0-2kts of breeze from what seemed like 600 different directions. At least several helmsmen (looking at you, Neil!) did involuntary 720s as the boat rolled around her keel with no control whatsoever.

Never to be outdone JA's overnight watch pushed like hell and managed to answer Roger's team's 3.5nm (in four hours...) with a terribly sad, but still more impressive, 7.4nm. Redoubling their efforts Roger and his watch of Sam, Trent, and Louis came back from behind with much strong numbers on the following watch.

After midnight things improved somewhat and we're now power reaching down the line near 8kts. The forecast is again bleak starting at or near 1100 and lasting again through much of the afternoon and evening.

I've offered exclusive access to the last box of Oreos for whatever team puts up the best standings today. Those have proven quite popular and here's hoping they're willing to fight for them. Peanuts are the only thing aboard which have been rationed and we've hidden the stash to keep Capt. Roger fed and happy for the remainder of the trip.

Just before sunset we picked up some kelp on the rudder and Dan and Neil deployed the Kelp stick with deft hands to clear our issues and streamline the water flow again.

It's still cold. Too cold for the Floridians' taste anyways.

Morning position report shows us first in class. While that's certainly helped morale, we've got a LOT of sailing left to do and we're keeping everyone focused on the prize. We should hit the halfway point mileage wise here later today.

The cabin is still dry and warm and the sea state, even with heel, makes rest cycles pretty pleasant.
For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

Banderas Bay Regatta XXVII Preview

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- In 1524, the Spanish conquistador Francisco Cortés de Buenaventura arrived on the coast of this beautiful bay known today as "Bahias de Banderas". 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. In addition, the bay is ringed by mountains and a river valley that is adjacent to the town of Puerto Vallarta; that geography creates a fantastic sea breeze on sunny days, where the wind flows in from the west at 10-17 kts.

After sailors discovered this sunny paradise, it did not take long to attract cruising sailors from around the world.  In addition, because of the amazing sea breezes, it has also attracted racing sailors. This year marks the 27th time the Banderas Bay Regatta will be sailed on the spectacular waters off Puerto Vallarta. The emphasis has always been on having a fun and friendly series of races that take place in a serious, professional format.

Hosting the regatta from March 5th to 9th is Vallarta YC that is situated in the northeastern part of the bay called Nuevo Vallarta.  They will provide five full days of racing with up to two races per day.  Some races are windward leeward and others are fun, random leg affairs that take your for a tour around the picturesque bay.

Joining in the fun is a number of J sailors from Mexico and the USA.

Participating for at least the third years in a row in the Big Boat PHRF division are Mike Seth’s J/145 DOUBLE TAKE from Vallarta YC in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico and Lee Pryor’s J/130 SCIROCCO from Oceanside YC in Oceanside, CA.  One of their eager competitors in class will be a 54 footer called “Mermaid Magnet”!  LOL!

In the smaller boat PHRF division, there are at least two J/80s participating.  A veteran of the BBR happens to be Wayne Zittel from San Francisco YC in San Francisco, CA; he runs the J/World Sailing programs based in San Diego, CA and also Berkeley, CA on San Francisco Bay. Wayne is racing, appropriately enough, J-WORLD 3.  On the beautifully maintained J/80 SHIVA, Rush Faville from Vallarta YC and Bucerias, Mexico will be hoping to give Wayne and crew a run-for-the-money at the top of the leaderboard.

The final day for all sailors, March 9th, will be a full day; no rest for the weary at the end of the regatta! It will start with the final day of racing and end with the fabulous Awards Beach Party. In addition to the presentation of awards to the winners, live music by “Luna Rumba” will accompany dinner and after-dinner dancing. The Italian buffet under the stars has been brought back by popular demand. The evening will end with a bang, as fireworks will mark the end of the amazing week! The Beach Party is open to competitors, crew, and anyone else who likes a great tropical beach party.  For more Banderas Bay XXVII sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

More Amazing J/125 Sailing Videos!

(San Diego, CA)- Here is another set of great sailing videos from the “K-Mag” sailing the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race.

Viggo Torbensen's J/125 TIMESHAVER had a successful 2018 San Diego To Puerto Vallarta Race. TIMESHAVER was 1st in Class and 2nd Overall. Keith Magnussen (a.k.a. “K-Mag”), from Ullman Sails Newport Beach, has helped put together an extensive offshore racing sail inventory for the team over the past seven years.

Enjoy watching this PV Race sailing video highlights.

Here is the day one video from the first 24 hours of the race on-board TIMESHAVER.  They saw lot of reaching with the Code 0 and genoa staysail- a very fast combination!

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Calling All J/Boat Owners and Sailors!

Spend Your Winter Sailing in Puerto Vallarta!
(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico would like to welcome all J/Boats to come and race with us this winter in beautiful Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

For those of you that have not sailed in Banderas Bay, the weather is perfect everyday and the wind comes up about Noon-time and blows 7 to 20 knots!

Club Membership entitles free use of the single point hoist and there is a large boat storage lot with rates of just $3.00 per day.  Slips are available but sell out each year. We have a wonderful facility with a great Restaurant, locker room, pool, small boats and many fun events.

We currently have and active fleet of J/70’s with about 9 boats and 5 J/80's. J/World Sailing is also here to improve your skills on J/80's.  We have one J/105 that seems to win many of the big boat races.

We have an active race schedule planned this year with weekly beer-can races. If you can't bring your boat, come on down and crew!

Some of the recent and future Regattas, J/70 Mexican National Championships, Vallarta Cup, WesMex Internacional Small boat Regatta (240 boats), Banderas Bay Regatta, Banderas Bay Blast, Regatta de la Revolucion, and Races after The Baja Ha-Ha. We also have an active Junior Program.  Plus, it is a San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race year, which means lots of fun on all kinds of boats for MEXORC- a series of races held in Banderas Bay after the race finishes!

Dan Kelsey from Dillon, Colorado explains, “I trailered my J/80 HARMATTAN from Lake Dillon Colorado to Puerto Vallarta last November and returned in April.  Planning to go back again this year stopping in Texas for J/Fest October 21-23! Shipping your boat can be arranged.”

Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest cities in North America with easy access via the busy Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport. Here is the link to Rentals and Documentation on safest cities.

To learn more about the VYC’s fabulous winter program, please don’t hesitate to contact- Daniel Kelsey (caitlincrew@me.com), or Daniel Green (dangreen39@gmail.com), or Wayne Zittel @ J/World (wayne@sailing-jworld.com).   For more Vallarta YC member and sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.

VINCITORE Wins Mexico J/70 Nationals

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- On May 5th to 7th, the 5th Mexico J/70 National Championship was held in Puerto Vallarta, the fabulous coastal resort town on the western (Pacific) side of the country. It is now the fourth site the Mexican Nationals have been held; the others were Valle de Bravo twice, Acapulco, Cancun and now Vallarta.  A total of twenty teams attended and were graciously hosted by the Vallarta Yacht Club.

Puerto Vallarta in May is a perfect choice as you are 99% sure you will get the thermal sea breeze, permitting the first start of the day at 13:00 hrs with 10-12 knots, building up to 18-20 knots everyday! The J/70 teams that participated in the event were looking forward to the “postcard” sailing weather, teams came from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancun and Puerto Vallarta including a youth team sponsored by the BBB Sailing Program.

With three days of racing and 11 races scheduled, the VYC PRO and Committee were punctual and efficient, waiting patiently for the seabreeze to start at midday and, like clockwork, they could set the starting line and the marks, much to the delight of the happy fleet!

The first day of racing ended with Ignacio Perez Moret ZAQUERO in 1st place, tied on points with VINCITORE sailed by the Brockmann brothers and former World Champion Julian Fernandez in 3rd place sailing the familiar FLOJITO Y COOPERANDO.

On the second day, consistency was the key and VINCITORE posted a 2-1-2-1 to move into the lead after eight races. After a 10th place in the lighter air first race of the day, ZAQUERO recovered with three great races (a 2-1-2), but now basically used their drop race. A solid day for Yon Belausteguigoitia´s team LA BALA (a 3-3-6-3) put them in 4th place; this team had a tremendous amount of talent onboard with countless World Championship and Olympic regattas on their CV’s and not to mention an easy 217 years of age between the 4 of them!! Eduardo Porter’s GOLDO’s was also having consistent results (a 4-4-4-5) and was now in 5th place.

On the final day, three races were scheduled. VINCITORE had to be careful with ZAQUERO and FLOJITO Y COOPERANDO (who needed a perfect day to have a chance for the win).  The first race saw VINCITORE in 4th with ZAQUERO 3rd, FLOJITO 2nd and LA BALA in 1st place. VINCITORE went on to win the next two races as the sea breeze increased into the high teens.

Definitely enjoying the event and conditions to win the National Championship was the crew of VINCITORE- Ricky Brockmann was skipper, Erik Brockmann (Ricky’s brother) was calling tactics, Jeronimo Mariscal was trimmer, and Diego Velasco was bowman. Second place went to Ignacio Perez Moret and team on ZAQUERO; they also won the Corinthians Division! Julian Fernandez ended in 3rd place with FLOJITO Y COOPERANDO.  Rounding out the top five were LA BALA in 4th and Porter’s GOLDO’S in 5th place.

According to Rod (“Caracas”) Favela, who was sailing in the regatta, “family and friends had a great time sailing in the gorgeous weather of the Pacific coast off Mexico, Bahia de Banderas is a beautiful place to sail!!  Great winds!

The most common, and probably most important phenomenon, I noticed was how many crews were families: Mom, Dad and the kids, and they were fast, talented crews that will get to the top without much difficulty.  No wonder why the class is growing so quickly in Mexico, as it allows a great family and social platform to be very competitive and fun!

I cannot say enough about the Mexican hospitality- great food, good laughs and very good quality racing, all happening under the umbrella of a top-of-the line Race Committee from Vallarta YC who ran perfect courses for all 11 races of the week! I want to go back already!!”  For more Mexico J/70 Nationals sailing information. Add to Flipboard Magazine.

J/World Midwinter Clinics Announcement

(San Diego, CA)- The J/World Performance Sailing School is offering two most excellent training programs for a nice midwinter break; one in conjunction with the Southern California Midwinters Regatta and the other in conjunction with the Banderas Bay Regatta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!  Here is more information on these two fabulous programs for getting yourself back "in tune" to sail fast and smart!

Midwinters Clinic and Regatta
San Diego, February 8-12
One of our most popular clinic+regatta combos, the Midwinters in San Diego presents the perfect opportunity for a training session in the mild winter climate of Southern California accompanied by an all-star team of J/World coaches. Three days in an abridged version of our renowned racing weeks followed by two days racing in a real regatta with a J/World coach aboard.  We send you home happy, AND faster, higher, smarter...

Southern California Yachting Association Midwinters is one of the largest multi-class sailing events in North America. The Regatta is supported by 27 SCYA member yacht clubs that participate throughout Southern California and stretching into Arizona. This is the perfect way to dust off the winter rust and hone your skills, in order to prepare your boat and crew for the next season. Come enjoy the beautiful year-round conditions in San Diego, and leave faster than your competition.

J/World, the Performance Sailing School, will be offering sailors the opportunity to come play (and learn) during this special event.  At our J/World San Diego facility, we will be hosting a three day racing clinic prior to the regatta, which will include boathandling, sail handling, strategy, tactics, rules, etc. etc…  all the elements which will contribute to a successful regatta.  Please refer to our Racing Courses (Intro and Advanced) pages for details on the topics that will be covered.

Then it is test time…  and we have the ultimate test:  a real regatta!  Each of our J/80s will have teams of three students plus one coach per boat.  Everyone aboard will rotate through all the positions while getting the positive insights of one of our renowned J/World instructors.

The cost is $1,495 per person (plus 10% Port Taxes; full pricing policies here).  Availability is limited, so be sure to reserve your space early ($400 deposit).  Call 800-910-1101

Banderas Bay Clinic and Regatta
Puerto Vallarta, February 26-March 4
Every winter J/World hosts a truly special racing event out of our Puerto Vallarta office.  We begin with a three-day racing clinic aboard our fleet of J/80s.  Sail trim, boat handling, starting, tactics, rules...  you name it, and we cover it! Wednesday is a lay day, then Thursday-Sunday we race in the ever fun Banderas Bay Regatta. This year J/World will be running four J/80s in the event, and we have only two spaces left! Looking for a tropical getaway and a great time sailing?  Done.

The Banderas Bay Regatta is a special event held every March at our Puerto Vallarta Sailing Center.  Participants range from flat-out racers, to cruising vessels that have sailed the seas to enjoy the wonders of Banderas Bay.  The regatta represents the culmination of the month-long “Festival Nautico” in Puerto Vallarta, and has become a favorite of locals and visitors.

J/World, the Performance Sailing School, will be offering sailors the opportunity to come play (and learn) during this special event.  We will be hosting a three day racing clinic prior to the regatta, which will include boathandling, sail handling, strategy, tactics, rules, etc. etc…  all the elements which will contribute to a successful regatta.  Please refer to our Racing Courses (Intro and Advanced) pages for details on the topics that will be covered.

Then it is test time…  and we have the ultimate test:  a real regatta!  The event is a perfect blend of positive attitudes, friendly competition, and ideal weather.  Participation in the event of course includes participation in all the land-based activities that the Vallarta Yacht Club has planned.

Each of our J/80s will have teams of three students plus one coach per boat.  Everyone aboard will rotate through all the positions while getting the positive insights of one of our renowned J World instructors. The host facility, the Paradise Village Resort, also offers great room rates for regatta participants, so bring the friend and family along for a fun vacation.

This year, J/World is inviting all boat owners/teams to attend our pre-regatta clinic.  Classroom sessions will cover sail trim, boat-handling, strategy, tactics, and rules.  On the water, coaches will conduct practice races and provide feedback on a wide range of topics.

The cost is $1,595 per person (plus tax; full pricing policies here).  Reserve your space early ($400 deposit), as this event always sells out!  Call 800-910-1101

New J/World Training Programs for 2017

(Annapolis, MD)- The J/World team has created some exciting new programming for 2017.  It all starts this winter with coaches on both coasts heading south for racing and cruising training in Florida, San Diego and Puerto Vallarta. Most of the programs dovetail with prominent race weeks or cruising rallies, giving students the unique opportunity to learn new skills and immediately apply them.  Learn more about their respective training programs here:

• J/World Annapolis- http://jworldannapolis.com/
• J/World California- http://sailing-jworld.com/

J/World New Boat Training Option!
Now available for any new J/Boats orders is a “J/World training option” for new J/Owners!  J/World will custom-tailor a training/orientation program for a new owner aboard their new boat!  The coaching fee is $600/day (not including travel and housing). The program can range from a thorough boat orientation of onboard systems and basic docking/sail handling skills to a full-on race-prep training session for the whole team.   For more J/World boat owner training program ideas

J/125 MEXORC- The Agony & Ecstacy!

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- The challenge and joy of racing in Bahia de Banderas is one to experience.  Gorgeous waters, 75 deg temperatures and reliable sea-breezes that pipe in at 10-18 kts around noon make for some epic racing and even more mind-blowing memories.  After all, it’s not uncommon to see manta rays leaping about, big fat whales spouting all over the place in their annual spring mating rituals and thousands of fish leaping into the air to avoid getting eaten by some giant bluefin tuna rampaging below the surface.  Such is life in the tropics during the spring off Puerto Vallarta’s famous coastline— one of Mexico’s premiere resort areas.

As part of those spring rites of passage, sailors themselves congregate to participate in the Bahia de Banderas Regatta, long a favorite of the cruising crowd.  In recent years, the event has grown the cruiser/racer division and this year’s classes saw some spirited competition.  Here’s a report from Keith Magnussen from Ullman Sails Newport Beach, CA:

“It seems like a long time has passed since I wrote about the build up to the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta race and MEXORC Regatta on the J/125 “Timeshaver”.  An abundance of adventuring has occurred and it is only natural that we choose the highlights to talk about.

First off, let us revisit the SD-PV Race.  The forecast was initially giving our navigator much distress.  Was it going to be windy?  Not windy?  Really windy?  No one really had a firm grip on what mother nature would bring us, all I knew was that I was sailing 1000 miles south regardless of the conditions.  It seems that this mindset helps me function at a higher level when the race finally does start.  In my mind, I am ready for anything and will work on making the boat fast in all conditions.

One thousand miles can appear like a long trek, unless you are on a J/125 with some good breeze.  Our first three days consisted of just that.  A couple of the new guys to the boat were used to a Santa Cruz 50 and their eyes lit up as the boat took off in 20 plus knots of wind.  By the end of the first day, we were into our 4A planing spinnaker, which means we are having fun.

As the race progressed, we found ourselves leading the charge.  We were leading the charge until the dreaded turn around the tip of Baja California.  This was actually one of my favorite parts of the journey, even though we ended up getting passed.  We decided to skirt Cabo San Lucas closely, and by close, I mean we were in the bay dodging pangas and Para Sailing tourists!  The view was spectacular as we glided across the bay and jibed away only to get stuck in some light air.  Oh well that it sailboat racing.
We ended up second in class with disappointment and a sense of “what if” surrounding the camp.

A few days of rest and contemplation ensued as we prepared for the week-long regatta that follows the bi-annual PV race.  The MEXORC regatta was a good opportunity for us to prove ourselves after falling short in the PV race.

The J/125 was put together in a class with three Farr 40’s and two Santa Cruz 50’s.  Racing was split between W/L and random leg racing which gave all the boats a chance to sail within their best conditions. Our first day was marred by a very unfortunate result for my football team.  Sailors are superstitious in nature, but I have one thing going against me.  Anytime Arsenal FC loses, I have a bad day on the water.  Arsenal lost and we placed fifth in the first race of the MEXORC series.  Monday was a different story.  No football games to mess me up!  Four races later, we had straight bullets and were leading the regatta.

Two days were spent doing random leg racing and it was here that the little J/125 really shined.  In the pursuit race, we marched to a victory well ahead of the nearest boats.  It was a crucial spinnaker change from the 2A to the 5A that helped us cross the finish line at 16kts of boatspeed while most of our competitors jib reached the final few miles.  It is a good feeling to see TP52’s, SC-50’s and a plethora of other yachts behind you at the finish.

Same scenario happened in the second random leg race.  Finished doing 16kts with the 5A up and correcting out on the nearest boat by a good 6 minutes or so gave us confidence that the regatta was ours.

We ended up clinching first place with one day to spare.  It was a great relief and we sailed the final day with a sense of ease.  The only thing that marred the day was some unscrupulous actions from the “professionals” on some other boats that were truly taking advantage of our laid back approach to the race.  Such is sailboat racing that it brings out the worst of a person’s ego.  We did not let it ruin our day, as we knew that our actions and clean sailing was the core to our success.

I would again like to thank Viggo Torbensen and the entire Timeshaver team for working hard and sailing cleanly through two weeks of tough racing.  For me the trip was another adventure in this book of life and another opportunity to learn about myself and the nature of competition.  Always a fun time and I look forward to more.  K-Mag out.”

J/125 Silvers Puerto Vallarta Race

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- The 32nd running of the Vallarta Race, a 1,000nm course from San Diego, USA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, began with staggered starts on February 19 and 20 for the 21-boat field. J/World’s Wayne Zittel commented on the race conditions, “Wow, what a fantastic run we had down the coast of Baja. Seriously, some gorgeous sailing conditions. Rounding Cabo San Lucas, we saw periods of calms, but the sail across the Sea of Cortez was beautiful.  From a sailing perspective, it was really shifty and puffy, and lighter for the leaders in front of us.  But, if we didn’t have sail changes to break up the cockpit chatter, what else would we be doing? We used almost every sail we brought; 5 different spinnakers, a couple of jibs, a jib top, a code 0, and a couple of staysails.”

Peter Isler, sailing on a 70 footer, had this to say, “At just 45nm from the finish, it was still so close – but so, so far!!! After struggling with nearly 24 straight hours of drifting conditions yesterday – we had another beautiful night sailing fast straight at the mark in a nice 15 knot northwesterly. But, 50 miles from the finish line, Mother Nature was not done with us, and the wind shut down and we drifted again for another few hours – just to make sure we had figured out how to drift faster!”

Sailing in Division 4, Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER had a very tough, but ultimately rewarding race.  They were up against some turbo’d Farr 40s and their annual arch-rivals, the SC 50 HORIZON (ultimately, the Division 3 and Overall winner).  For the first three-quarters of the race, the J/125 had put the hammer down and was leading the fleet overall.  However, like Zittel and Isler mentioned above, it was a roll of the dice that determined the winners and losers in the end.  Indeed, TIMESHAVER got the short end of the stick in the last 100 miles, watching a boat-for-boat lead over HORIZON and the R/P 50 BLUE BLAZES evaporate quickly.  In fact, so quickly that a several hour lead turned into an eight hour deficit on elapsed time!  As it turns out, the two boats TIMESHAVER had to beat, HORIZON and BLUE BLAZES, finished in just around 4 days/ 13 hours while TIMESHAVER ghosted across the finish line at 4 days/ 21 hours- ouch!  About a 15 hour swing with less than a day’s sail to get to the line!  Nevertheless, while losing the overall prize, Torbensen’s fast crew on TIMESHAVER took the silver in Division 4 and still finished a credible 8th overall.  For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information

Bahia de Banderas Regatta Preview

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas is hosting the first edition of the 2016 Copa Federacion Mexicana de Vela (FMV Cup) to be held from February 19 to May 30. The international event convenes for four months of intense competition bringing together some 800 boats and 2,500 sailing enthusiasts and their companions, and expected to contribute over $17 million USD to the PV Chamber of Commerce (hmmm, no wonder they like sailors!).

“The FMV Cup reaffirms Puerto Vallarta’s position in the international landscape as an ideal destination for sailing and boating events,” said Alvaro Garciarce, President of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “The waters around the Bay of Banderas have proven to be the best venue for international sporting events of this level. We welcome all participants and their guests and trust they will enjoy their visit to Puerto Vallarta.”

Set on the Bay of Banderas, a member of the “World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club,” Puerto Vallarta’s rich history is reflected through its diverse culture, gastronomy and residents. Its horseshoe shaped bay shelters tropical lagoons, rainforests, mangroves, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and spectacular mountains, making it a prime ecotourism destination ideal for a variety of water sports and the observation of Humpback whales that visit the area every year from December to March.

The 2016 FMV Cup for offshore keelboats will include the following races:

1.  The 32nd Puerto Vallarta Race- this just finished with Viggo Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER finishing 2nd- a good thing (see story below).

2.  MEXORC- this runs from February 28 to March 3, with over 70 boats and 500 competitors and visitors participating.  Participating are several J teams seeking revenge from the crazy PV Race; including Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER, Luis Altolaguirre’s J/120 TATEI, Erwan Le Gall’s J/80 SHEVA and Bart Smit’s J/105 SINFONIA NAUTICA.  Also racing are one-design J/70s- Ignacio Perez’s ZAGUERO, Joaquin Bargall, Fernando Perez, and Jose Luis Perez.  For more MEXORC sailing information

3.  Regata International Bahia de Banderas- will take place from March 9 to 12. One of the more social events, it is one of the biggest regattas for cruisers and racers in the world and is the largest and oldest on Mexico’s West Coast. The regatta is famous for the Banderas Bay Regatta Boat Parade- on Thursday, March 10th at 11:00am- the parade of boats heading to the start line of the first day of racing is a long-standing BBR tradition. While the competitors are out on the race course, spectators can only easily see them with binoculars. The Boat Parade is the best chance for them to see the competing boats up close and to let the skippers and crew hear their cheers of encouragement. All boats registered for the Regatta are encouraged to be a part of this tradition.  The theme this year is - “Loving Cruising in Mexico.”  Current participants from the J/family include the J/105 SINFONIA NAUTICA with Bart Smit at the helm and the J/80 SHIVA with Rush Faville skippering.  For more Banderas Bay Regatta sailing information

Puerto Vallarta Race Update

(San Diego, CA)- The 32nd running of the Vallarta Race, a 1,000nm course from San Diego, USA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, began with staggered starts on February 19 and 20 for the 21-boat field. Here’s an update on February 21 from Peter Isler, a navigator on a 70 ft sled:

“A beautiful 24 hours of sailing out here on the Pacific and the fleet is tearing up the ocean, VMG running in 20+ knots of wind, 6 foot swells and beautiful skies. Last night was epic – (nearly) full moon running… you didn’t need a flashlight on deck it was so bright.

Everyone agreed it was one of the greatest nights of sailing ever! Tonight, we are looking for another beautiful moonlight ride – as the winds are still over 20 and the temperature should be one notch warmer (there was definitely a chill to the air last night). About 24 more hours of fun before the tricky bit comes up – the approach to Cabo and figuring out how to get through the sizable windless hole that often stretches south from Cabo for up to 50 miles.  For now, we’ll appreciate the good conditions and keep riding those waves on this endless summer day & night!”

And speaking of February 19 starters, the J/125 TIMESHAVER skippered by Viggo Torbensen has been doig great-- this little piece of optimism was included in their 0600 report on the morning of February 21st, “Maybe (our) fastest run to the Cape- - ever! Never letting up on the pressure with a 12 knot average for the last 24 hours, the YB Tracker shows early Sunday morning, we ducked the RP 50 Blue Blazes’ stern and took a seven hour hitch out to sea, then gybed. Blazes appeared to be doing the same on the opposite gybe. When they came back together around 1600 PST, TIMESHAVER had the edge by approximately 10 miles. As the sun goes down Sunday evening, we are both pointing southeast again doing 12 knots and playing hard to catch for the big sleds.”

On-board crewman, Keith Magnussen, had this to report February 22nd: “Spectacular sunrise and moon set off Cabo San Lucas this morning. Looks like we will be first boat around the tip of Baja on our way to our destination of Puerto Vallarta and we are sitting well in class and amongst the Saturday starters.

Great sailing so far in epic conditions. The crew is working out just like I thought.. hard work, good sailors and lots of laughs. The Hippy reports he is not in a bad mood which means he is in an amazing mood!

Had our hurdles to overcome but we did so and are positive about the race. The boat is performing well and we have seen speeds over 20kts many times. Viggo is in a great mood and enjoying the friendly banter. He is rolling with the punches and having fun bailing the boat out every off shift.. Yes we leak.

We are currently 35 miles from Cabo and hoping and praying that the wind keeps up. Last thing we want is 4 days to get to PV after knocking off 300 mile days! The Rasta kite is blazing in the sunrise and I am looking forward to getting some bronzing in today.”

Torbensen’s J/125 TIMESHAVER is racing against some turbo’d Farr 40s and their annual arch-rivals, the SC 50 HORIZON.  At the moment, the J/125 is an odds-on favorite to beat just about all boats into the finish except for Manoush Mosayedi’s RIO 100 super-maxi!  For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information

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."

Performance J/105 Sailing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- Learn how to sail faster and better and be part of a team.  Plus, you’ll learn how to dock, anchor, cruise and make monkey fists in between!  Join Captain Eugenie in Puerto Vallarta for 1/2 day or full day courses on a J/105 in the gorgeous water of Bahia de Banderas, one of the world’s most picturesque bays.

Captain Eugenie is a fully licensed 100T captain, as well as an ASA and US Sailing coastal and offshore cruising certification instructor. A sailor, teacher and entrepreneur, she has been sailing for more than thirty years. She has run and been part of four sailing schools— the Spinnaker Sailing school in San Francisco, the City of Oakland’s youth sailing program, the J/World Sailing School program in Puerto Vallarta, and currently the Vallarta Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program.

Eugenie operated private charters, provided sailing instruction, did deliveries, and captained boats while she ran the programs above. She co-founded the company J/Concierge, a support team for J/Boat owners in San Francisco while working for J/Boats.

Today, she is the State of Nayarit’ s Sailing Coach for Opti sailors, and the Mexican Sailing Federation (FMV) and the Mexican Optimist Association (AMVCO) has chosen her to take the Mexican Opti team to North American, South American, and World Championships. She speaks French, Spanish and English fluently and is dedicated to making students, of all ages understand and love sailing.

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/104 PuertoVallarta Facebook page

Hello Friends of J/World!

(San Diego, CA)- We love winters.  The smell of coconut sunscreen.  The warm salty spray on our bare skin.  Drinks served in pineapples.  Our sailing day bag packed with, well, nothing. This doesn't sound like your winter sailing experience?  We are truly sorry and ready to help.

Tropical Puerto Vallarta is, well, tropical this time of year, and the sailing is excellent. C'mon down and you can decorate a palm tree for the holidays.  San Diego is likewise beautiful and chock full of sailing activities!

J/World, the Performance Sailing School, has a whole range of classes from Learn-to-Sail and Basic Cruising courses on up to Racing Weeks and Special Events scheduled for the winter.  If you are a sailor or aspiring sailor, we have classes that will advance your skills and give you a thrill.

Feb 10-14- SCYA Midwinters Clinic and Regatta
Our immensely popular winter racing clinic will be held February 10-14 in San Diego. Southern California Yachting Association Midwinters is one of the largest multi-class sailing events in North America. The Regatta is supported by 27 SCYA member yacht clubs that participate throughout Southern California and stretching into Arizona. If you are a sailor, you will want to hone your skills preparing your boat and crew for the 2016 season by entering this race. Come enjoy the beautiful year-round conditions in San Diego, and leave faster than your competition.

J/World is offering sailors the opportunity to come play (and learn) during this special event.  At the San Diego facility, we will be hosting a three-day racing clinic prior to the regatta, which will include boathandling, sail handling, strategy, tactics, rules, etc. etc…  all the elements which will contribute to a successful regatta.

Then, it is test time! And, we have the ultimate test- a real regatta!!  Each of our J/80s will have teams of three students plus one coach per boat.  Everyone aboard will rotate through all the positions while getting the positive insights of one of our renowned J/World instructors.

Jan 29-31- J/70 Racing Clinics
Learn from the pros. We have this wired, and can get you up to speed quickly.  J/World is offering a series of J/70 racing clinics for competitors looking to develop their skills in the newest hot fleet of one-design sportboats.   These sessions will focus on boat handling, sail handling, sail trim, and tuning.

Each three-day seminar is limited to small groups to insure that everyone gets a high degree of personal attention.  The focus of these clinics will be on the particulars of sailing the J70 to a high degree of efficiency. Topics will include boat setup, tuning, sail trim, sail handling, crew workflow and coordination, etc.   The small group size ensures that we will be able to work with everyone on a personal level…  so bring your questions!

Feb 5-7- J/105 Racing Clinic
Each year, J/World hosts special keelboat racing clinics aboard one-design J/105s.  The intensive format is targeted at getting skippers and crews up to speed.  Central topics include sail trim, sail handling, boat handling, crew workflow, shifting gears, rig setup, and so on.

This is all about the mechanics of getting you around the course faster.  We’ll talk about the how-and-why of shifting gears from point mode to speed mode. We’ll look at the fine points of sail shapes and twist. Spinnaker techniques and sail handling (including sets, gybes, and numerous takedowns) will be thoroughly discussed and practiced.  On-board communication and workflow will be emphasized to insure smooth maneuvers while racing.

The clinic is the perfect event to train new crew and/or to chip the rust off and get ready for the new racing season.  Tired of having messy takedowns? “Shrimping” a bit too often?! Can’t seem to get the boat up to speed quickly after a tack?  Got pointing issues?  Too much chatter on board distracting the helmsperson?  We can help.  Come join our J/105 Racing Clinic.  This is definitely the fastest way to get fast!

March 6-12th- Banderas Bay Regatta
Come join March 6 to 12th, 2016 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the Banderas Bay Regatta clinic. This event is very popular and we have limited space (it always sells out)!

The BBR is a special event held every March at our Puerto Vallarta Sailing Center.  Participants range from flat-out racers, to cruising sailors who have sailed the seven seas to enjoy the wonders of Banderas Bay.  The regatta represents the culmination of the month-long “Festival Nautico” in Puerto Vallarta, and has become a favorite of locals and visitors.  Treat yourselves to the ultimate sailing paradise- Banderas Bay in sunny, lovely, Puerto Vallarta.

Mar 16-20- San Diego NOOD- J/70 Racing
Come to beautiful San Diego for two days in clinic/practice environment with our J/World staff, and then race in the J/70 class of the NOOD Regatta. These regattas are renowned for tight one-design racing at prime sailing venues around the country.  And, racing a J/70 in San Diego is the epitome of the NOOD experience.  Come join J/World for two days of coaching and practice before lining up with the highly competitive J/70 class!  You will get the expert coaching of a top J/World coach and lots of personal attention (only three students per boat!).

J/24 Top Banana @ Banderas Bay Regatta!

(Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)- What a day the first day of Banderas Bay Regatta XXIII was! With more pirates parading out of the marina than you can shake a saber at, then the first race! Things were okay, then they got light, and for those who stuck it out, it got windy again at the end. No matter, everyone had a great time!

The second day of BBR brought more wind, and the lovable PRO decided everyone (well, almost everyone) needed a sightseeing tour of Puerto Vallarta and all of Banderas Bay!  All classes, except two, headed to the Puerto Vallarta Sea Buoy, enjoying winds that diminished a little on the PV side, but definitely didn't disappoint on the Nuevo Vallarta side of the course.  What a day! Absolutely beautiful winds and fantastic racing from start to finish. It was a spectacular day of sailing to show off the beautiful Banderas Bay to so many folks.

The beach party that evening was to die for! For those of you who don’t know how the Mexican hosts celebrate in such grand style, well, you just gotta be there!  If you thought ANY Caribbean regatta was fun, then you can rest assured their Mexican counterparts are their equal, if not a few notches higher on the entertainment scale.  No joke!

How did the J/Teams fair in their quest for eternal with the Aztec God’s?  Not bad.  While the J/War Canoes were up to the task across the board, some faired better than others.

In the case of Performance Class B, the runaway winner was the J/24 JUGGS sailed by Ken Yachehcak.  Not far behind them were a trio of J/80s from the local Puerto Vallarta fleet, including 3rd place J/80 J/WORLD BLUE skippered by Patrick Farrell, 4th place J/80 J/WORLD RED sailed by Debby Coach, and 5th place J/80 SHIVA led by Rush Faville.

In the big boat divisions, it was the J/130 ITAJIME sailed by Alan Robin that took 3rd place in the Cruiser Class E division!  Good on ya mates!  It was the first time that Alan had ever raced his J/130!  He was thrilled to pick up some silverware!  Why?!  Because he and his lovely lady friend were simply headed south on their way to sail into the South Pacific for a long cruise together!  An awesome performance for this cruising couple!

Finally, the J/109 JOYRIDE sailed by James Vicker managed to place 5th in Performance Class A with a number of friends on board who were just learning to sail.  Cool.   For more Banderas Bay Regatta sailing photos   For more Banderas Bay sailing regatta information