Going offwind toward tequila and tacos

Held biennially, the Puerto Vallarta Race returns in 2026, featuring the iconic 1,050 nm offshore course from San Diego, California to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. First held in 1953, the 38th edition will commence on this offwind test with three staggered starts on February 26, 27, and 28.

“The San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race is a thousand-mile test of skill, teamwork, and endurance against the Pacific’s unpredictable rhythms,” said 2026 Puerto Vallarta Race Chair, Joanne O’Dea. “A journey that challenges crews to push their limits. More than just a race, it’s a testament to the camaraderie of the sailing community and the allure of reaching the shores of Puerto Vallarta.”

Early entrants include Roy Disney’s Andrews 68 Pyewacket, 4-time race Overall winner (1992, 1998, 2018, and 2024). “Each is satisfying and rewarding in its own way and for its own set of reasons,” shared Disney. “This is a challenging course, especially rounding Cabo which can be impossible at times, with hundreds of choices; we love PV.”

Scoring for monohulls will be figured using the ORR handicap system and US Sailing’s Forecast-Time Correction Factor (F-TCF). The finish line will use a virtual gate located off the coast of Punta Mita, first used in 2024.

Racers proposed this change as the location is mostly outside the coastal thermal zone that goes flat in the early hours of each day. Previously, the arrival time at the entrance to Bandaras Bay had a significant impact on results. ”The race should be on the race track, not in the parking lot, ” noted PRO Jeff Johnson.

Event information – Race details – Entry list