Saturday, March 3, 2018

Puerto Vallarta Race Preview

J/125 sailing Puerto Vallarta Race (San Diego, CA)- Held bi-annually, anticipation has been building for the 2018 Puerto Vallarta Race as race day approaches this coming Friday at 12 pm Pacific time. Hosted by San Diego YC, the 1,000 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 1,000nm dog-fight for class supremacy in Division 6.  The two protagonists are well-known in SoCal racing circles; the two J/125s are Mark Surber’s DERIVATIVE from San Diego YC and Viggo Torbensen’s TIMESHAVER from Dana Point YC.

While the stripped-out racing machines like the 125s and TP52s will be flying along at breakneck speed, the J/65 GOOD CALL, sailed by Tom Barker from Omaha, NE, will be sailing in Division 4 and will have the benefit of air-conditioning, a wine/ beer cooler, hot & cold pressure water, fresh water maker, and a number of other creature comforts that would make any racing sailor envious of such power, speed, and comfort all rolled into one boat!  For more Puerto Vallarta Race sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.