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2010 WRAP UP - FULL RESULTS

Twelve high performance sailboats competed in the 2010 Vallarta Race, a San Diego Yacht Club biennial tradition since 1953. This year the Course Record was beaten by an incredible 7 hours and is now at 3 days, 8 hours, 52 minutes, 1 second. The new record holder is Akela, a Reichel/Pugh 77 owned by Bill Turpin and David Janes. Akela’s average boat speed was an amazing 12.4 knots over the 1000 mile course and they had a high speed record of 31 knots! In their wake and also surpassing the 2008 record (previously held by Magnitude 80, see www.sdyc.org/pv/history.htm) was Peligroso (Lorenzo Berho) and Medicine Man (Bob Lane). Division 3 Winner, Jack Taylor’s Horizon also talked of hitting 27 knots in the breeze and having speeds of 20+ knots for long periods of time. Artie Means took a fantastic shot from the end of the pole on Alchemy while doing 24 knots. Alchemy owned by Per Petersen won Division 2. See the shot at: www.sdyc.org/pv and the videos and photo. The Akela video is worth the time!!

The sailors stepped off the dock in agreement that this was one of the best regattas they have sailed. Continuous strong winds developed for the entire 1,000 nm run down Baja and across the Sea of Cortez to Paradise Village Resort and Marina in Nuevo Vallarta, just north of Puerto Vallarta MX. Virtual spectators enjoyed the coverage of the race through www.iboattrack.com which provided trackers for each vessel. See the complete track online.

Second to finish (just 3.2 hours later) and earning first place on corrected time was Peligroso. SDYC member Lorenzo Behro recently purchased the Kernan 68 design and used this year's Vallarta Race as its first long distance test under his new ownership. Mr. Behro assembled an experienced team including Robbie Haines (former sailing master for Roy Disney’s Pyewacket campaign and Olympic Champion).  Co-navigators Piet van Os and Raul Velarde came up with a winning route as Peligroso finished victorious in Corrected Time in both Division 1 and Overall standings. An elated Behro and crew celebrated with champagne aboard Peligroso after hearing the news of their official victory.  Behro was inspired by the actions of Roy Disney and the Morning Light project – a ‘youth in sailing’ development program, and aims to create a similar opportunity for young sailors in Mexico with Peligroso (check out the interviews with Behro and van Os on the event website www.sdyc.org/pv.

For the 4th time in the last 5 Mexican races from SDYC and Vallarta Yacht Club joined by internationally recognized Paradise Village Resort and Marina were generous hosts to the event, sailors and supporters. New to the event was the additional support from the Mexican Navy granted by Admiral Miranda. Captain Jilino and the crew of the ARM Alvarrado were stationed just off Punta de Mita at the northern tip of Banderas Bay for the finish of the 1000 mile race.

SATURDAY UPDATE
What's it like to set the course record for the 1000 nm PV Race? Ride along with Akela (video).

First to Finish: Akela
First Overall Corrected Time: Peligroso
First Div 1: Peligroso
First Div 2: Alchemy
First Div 3: Horizon
FULL RESULTS

Photo Gallery
Video Gallery (More videos 2/26! Check it out!)

THURSDAY UPDATE
Congratulations to all the sailors on an incredibly fun and fast regatta. Special congrats to:

Lorenzo Behro and the crew of Peligroso on their finish of 1st Overall Correct Time
Bill Turpin and the crew of Akela for destroying the course record for the 1000 nm race to PV, and finish of 2nd overall correct time
Per Peterson and the crew of Alchemy for their 3rd overall and 1st in Div 2 finish
Jack Taylor and the crew of Horizon for their victory in Div 3

Artie Means aboard (sort of) Alchemy doing 24 knots and going the extra mile for a great photo:

EARLY WEDNESDAY UPDATE
It's 3:30 in the morning and Akela's crew is at the bar at Vallarta Yacht Club after their record breaking race down to PV. Margaritas & cervezas tide them over as they discuss the 30 kt speeds they sailed and waves they plowed through, awaiting the arrival of their main competition of Div 1, Peligroso, who will arrive at Paradise Village early Wednesday AM.

With a few days to recooperate from the Vallarta Race and prepare for MEXORC, the crew is looking forward to a day of leisure mixed in with boat clean up and prep.

Pete Heck praised the course run by Navigator Ernie Richau. Looking back to 2008, Ernie guided Magnitude 80 to the previous fastest time down the 1000 nm course only to break it this year with Akela. Akela's early decision to break out west after Division 1 boats had passed Ensenada proved to be a strong move as other boats caught one of the few flat points of the race.

TUESDAY UPDATE
The big news on Tuesday was the withdrawal from the race by Pendragon VI due to a boat issue (undisclosed at this time). The crew is safe in Cabo. It is undecided if they will make the trip under motor to PV to join the festivities. Escort Vessel Coley D spent the night in Cabo as well, and will be looking at a Thursday arrival in PV.

Back to the racers, the wind has been strong and consistent through the night and has allowed all boats to maintain speed near or above 10 kts at every ping by the Race Tracker. Some boats have hit readings of 17+ kts and likely went higher during the race. The possibility of a record breaking race by Akela or Peligroso is still in play. While we can't see their progress via the tracker, they are approx 150 nm from the finish.

Continue to follow us on Twitter (see sidebar on right) and we'll keep you informed on the progress.

PHOTO AND VIDEO GALLERIES
Photo Gallery
Video Gallery
- Welcome to Paradise with Jeff Johnson
- Div 1 & 2 Starts
- Interview with Co-Chairman Jim Thompson

NEW POSTINGS ON RACE INFO PAGE (2/12/10):
Wind Matrix
Full Racing and Social Schedule
Customs Information
NOR Amendment #2

SLIP RESERVATIONS IN PV:
Have you made your slip reservations for your arrival? Contact Dick Markie at Paradise Village.

Dick Markie
Paradise Village Harbor Master
dickmarkie2004@yahoo.com
+52 322 226-6728

November 2009 UPDATE:
Check out the slideshow from 2008 with the crew aboard Morpheus to see what the PV Race is all about. Also check out the Paradise Village Welcome Video to see what our destination has to offer.

Mexican Race Stories