Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Copa FMV 2016 Vallarta Nayarit, a four-month celebration of sailing events in beautiful Banderas Bay, got underway on Friday with the 32nd running of the Vallarta Race. This biennial event features 21 international teams sailing a 1000nm course from San Diego, California to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Upon arrival in Puerto Vallarta, seven of the boats are planning to compete the following week on Banderas Bay in the MEXORC Regatta from February 28 to March 5. MEXORC (Mexican Ocean Racing Circuit) began in the 70s and is considered the top ocean regatta on America's West Coast. Five hundred sailors and 35 boats will participate this year out of Marina Vallarta.

From February 25-28, the Vallarta Yacht Club will host the 11th annual WesMex International Small Boat Regatta. Over 250 competitors from all over Mexico and the world will be racing in Optimist, Laser, C420, RS:X and Techno 293 classes. Now in its eleventh year, International WesMex Regatta is one of the biggest sailing competitions in Mexico, and a qualifier for the Mexican Sailing Team to represent the country in various international youth competitions. Racing starts February 26. Come and volunteer to help, or just head out to the beach and watch the spectacle!

The 24th Annual Banderas Bay Regatta is scheduled to take place March 9-13, 2016. Registrations are now open for this fun filled week of music, good food, great camaraderie, and great racing.

The Banderas Bay Regatta is the one of the biggest regattas for cruisers and racers in the world and is the largest and oldest on Mexico's west coast. There are several classes for small boats, performance boats and cruisers. Handicaps for cruisers are calculated based on the fact that most competitors are loaded with gear, a dinghy or two, extra anchors, a complete sail inventory, and most likely provisions. The idea is to have 4 days of fun and 3 days of racing on a body of water that is considered one of the greatest sailing venues in the world - Banderas Bay.

Daily music, celebrations and dinners means this is a "not to be missed" event for skippers and crew of any make and model of sailboat. It's not too late to sign up... skippers have until 9 am Tuesday, March 8 to register online at BanderasBayRegatta.com.

Although some events are just for the participating sailors, visitors are welcome to join the nightly festivities at the Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC). For more information about the regatta, including discounted slip rates, hotel specials, and access to the online registration form, please visit BanderasBayRegatta.com.

Last but not least, the Riviera Nayarit will host the 2016 Laser World Championship for the very first time from April 4-May 27. The Vallarta Yacht Club has been chosen to receive the top 650 sailors from around the world for 20 days of competition. Many of them will be competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Warm, sunny days and steady afternoon breezes make Banderas Bay the best sailing venue on the Mexican Pacific Coast. Mark your calendar now, so you won't miss these exciting races that will bring cruisers and serious racers together in Vallarta-Nayarit.