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


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