Countdown to 38th Puerto Vallarta Race

Twenty-six boats from across the USA and Australia are entered to compete in the biennial San Diego to Puerto Vallarta race, with staggered starts on February 26, 27, and 28. As the dominant offshore race for 2026, completing the 1000 nm course earns competitors margaritas, mariachi bands, and the warm welcome of Mainland Mexico.

Several boats that took won their class in the 2024 PV Race – Amazing Grace skippered by Jim Puckett, Blackwing skippered Barry Clark, Pyewacket skippered by Roy Disney, and Vitesse skippered by Thomas Furlong – will be returning to defend their titles. New teams for the race include the Rogers 46 Natural Nine skippered by Patrick Nichols and Class 40 Patriot IX skippered by Michael Rose.

For 2026, two thirds of the fleet are 50+ feet in length with the largest boat in the series, Velos, reaching 73 feet. The other third of entrants are mostly in the 40 foot range with the Hobie 33 TC skippered by JJ Hoag as the smallest.

“This year’s PV Race has solid entries consisting of the best ever West Coast gathering of TP 52s and similar styled boats with a total of seven super competitive racers,” said PV Race Regatta Coordinator Ben Mitchell. “It will be a genuine test of skill and yacht design in this year’s event.”

The PV Race will be scored using the ORR handicap system and US Sailing’s Forecast-Time Correction Factor (F-TCF) ratings in an effort to reduce the differences in wind conditions on the multiple start days of the event.

A training opportunity starts on February 6 with the Islands Race which begins off Point Fermin, rounds Catalina and San Clemente Islands, and concludes off of Point Loma in San Diego.

Event Details – Entry List – Facebook

Source: SDYC