San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race Coming Up
The 2026 Puerto Vallarta Race is quickly approaching, with the first boats set to start their journey south from San Diego on February 26. As of this article’s writing, there are currently 26 boats registered for the roughly 1,000-mile race down to Puerto Vallarta, ranging from as small as 33-ft (TC from CYC of Seattle) to as big as 73-ft (Velos from SDYC).
“This biennial race is a favorite for good reason,” SDYC commodore Alli Bell says of the race, per a press release. “[One thousand] miles of champagne sailing to arrive to a warm welcome down in PV. It’s always a privilege to work with our friends in Mexico to put on a great party for arriving sailors. I look forward to seeing many of you down there!”
“Several boats that took first in class in the 2024 PV Race, including 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,” the same press release tells us. “The PV Race is excited to welcome a few new teams to the regatta including the Rogers 46 Natural Nine skippered by Patrick Nichols and Class 40 Patriot IX skippered by Michael Rose.”
Ben Mitchell, PV Race coordinator, says, “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. It will be a genuine test of skill and yacht design in this year’s event.”
The official registration window for the race closed on January 9, although late registration (with the accompanying fee) is still possible.