US Sailing is working on the 2024 ORR Rating application system. For those racing earlier 2024 events like the SDYC Islands Race and Puerto Vallarta Race, you're welcome to use the currently available application form for renewals or new boat applications. The form will be the same next year, just a more streamlined process.

See the "Apply for 2023 ORR Certificate" button here https://www.ussailing.org/competition/offshore/orr/#applications.

If there are any boats racing in the PV Race needing insurance please contact Romeo Villarreal. Romeo has participated in the PV Race and other local offshore events and can assist with the changing dynamics of offshore race boat insurance.

Share the knowledge - invite your team - the more the afterguard, speed team and crew are involved - the better. You will learn about:

• preparation
• race strategy (PV, Baja & Islands Race)
• pre-race weather study
• sailing team communication
• safety considerations
• in-race optimal routing and tactics
• satellite data techniques
• and much more

For Reservations, contact: ventas@flamingohotels.com.mx

Prices include: Standard room, tax, breakfast buffet, Wifi in rooms and hotel grounds.

Bookings for this Room Block available until January 30, 2024. Prices per night:

SINGLE ROOM: $108
DOUBLE ROOM: $116
TRIPLE ROOM: $141
QUAD ROOM: $168
CHILD (6-12): $30
JUNIOR (13-17): $52

In December of 2021 I called Kjeld Hestehave and asked if he wanted to do the PV2022 Race.  Kjeld and I have a long history of racing together on Velos and his Etchells.  I knew he wanted to sell the boat and that there may not be many more opportunities for us to offshore racing together, and his love of doing them is unmatched.

Distance ocean races come in all different shapes and sizes. There’s a point where it goes from an event you can grit your teeth and battle through, to a length of time on the boat where you need to establish a flow for the on/off watch periods and cycle of racing day and night. The average time on the course in this year’s Puerto Vallarta Race was 5 days, 2 hours, which needs that flow to succeed.

Stan Fleming, J/125 Nereid, shared why the race to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico needs a different mentality than shorter races.

“What you’re trying to do is get to an equilibrium…a balance between performance and self care. Once you get into that equilibrium, you can sail as long as you want. In this race, at San Cedros on about the third day, for the evening then night watches, I got to do exactly the same thing regardless, and I lost that conventional vision of time. That’s kind of a good feeling when offshore. The Cabo Race is barely enough time to get in that flow. But this race was really a long distance race… you have to get into that equilibrium. That’s where experience is key, being able to manage yourself.”

Overall Winners of the 2022 Puerto Vallarta Race, hosted by San Diego Yacht Club are John Raymont and the crew of his Ker-51 Fast Exit II. John along with navigator Brad Wheeler gave us the story of setting the boat up for success and have they sailed the winning track in this year's 1000nm race to Puerto Vallarta.

Friday's recap will feature a brief of tactical and class specific choices made during the regatta... all the stuff you'll want to know to do well in the 2024 PV Race. But tonight in Puerto Vallarta there are a lot of crews celebrating camaraderie and the conclusion of a great experience. Some years are faster (better?) than others and this will rank as a really good one.