Kelly Trainor, American Consulate for Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, in conjunction with CasaMagna Marriott Resort & Spa, are once again the proud organizers of the 10th International Altruism Festival in Puerto Vallarta.

A total of 1,020 unauthorized FIFA World Cup soccer trophies were intercepted on Wednesday by the customs office in Yiwu, Zhejiang province.

Officials have recently moved to strengthen intellectual property protection related to the World Cup in Brazil in June and July. The replica trophies, which were to be exported to Libya, were found by customs agents during a routine check.

A representative of FIFA, the owner of the World Cup trophy's design, later confirmed that the actual-size duplicates were unauthorized.

Luo Xuhong, a customs official in Yiwu, a global trade center for small commodities, said his office strengthened inspection efforts after the General Administration of Customs launched an initiative known as Greenfield Action on April 11.

The initiative focuses on World Cup issues. Local customs agents are required to pay special attention to any exports that might violate the intellectual property rights of FIFA and World Cup sponsors.

Luo said that because of Yiwu's position as the world's largest distribution center for small commodities, ranging from socks to sports kits, the city's customs office established a special team to support the initiative.

In addition to tightening routine checks on export containers, the customs office also organized lectures to curtail violations of intellectual property rights for commercial tenants.

"In order to leave a deep impression on commercial tenants in the Yiwu small-commodities center, we invited FIFA experts to give lectures," he said. "We also showed these tenants the achievements of our previous actions and advertised protection policies."

He Huaming, owner of Yiwu Sheng Hua Handicraft Products, said that selling World Cup-related products is a big attraction for tenants in Yiwu because business was so good in 2010 during the previous World Cup in South Africa.

"It was really a hit in 2010 when people all over the world were buying World Cup products from the market. During peak seasons, we were out of containers to ship clients' orders to other countries," he said.

However, he decided not to take the risk this year, because selling unauthorized products is more difficult now than in 2010.

"Four years ago, selling and exporting some unauthorized products was not that hard. Only a few were caught," he said. "This year, however, we must show authorization to sell these products. Otherwise, if caught by the customs office, the fine will be very heavy."

During the 2010 World Cup, Yiwu customs office intercepted 17 batches of unauthorized World Cup-related products. Among 116,952 products were slippers, hats, T-shirts, bags and other items worth 1.02 million yuan ($165,000).

[readon1 url="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/2014-04/18/content_17443840.htm"]Source:www.chinadaily.com.cn [/readon1]

YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

The fresh faces of diving gathered in Guadalajara (MEX) for the FINA Diving Qualifying Event for the Youth Olympic Games, which will be organised in Nanjing (CHN) from August 16-28, 2014, revealing to the world diving's next generation of stars.

Diving powerhouses China and Mexico dominated the first day of competition, where the competitors showed their talent to earn a spot for their respective country at the upcoming Nanjing YOG but also leaving an impression for the 2017 FINA World Championships in Guadalajara.

Participants met the requirement to display their mandatory dives, where they showed elegance and technique. Then they delighted the audience with dives with free degree of difficulty, where they exhibited promising prowess.

In the women's 10m platform, Xiaohui Huang (CHN) showed her class by winning the gold medal with 487.95 points. Alejandra Orozco (MEX) won the silver medal with 480.35 and Ingrid Oliveira (BRA) settled for a bronze-medal finish with a total 411.55.

With a big smile, Alejandra Orozco recalled that in London, she was the youngest Olympic medallist in Mexican history - a silver in the women's 10m platform synchro with Paola Espinosa.

At 17, she's now writing her own individual story as an Olympic hopeful: "I feel good to win at home, with my family and friends in the stands. The medal in London is over, now I have to work to earn my place in each event."

Ingrid Oliveira of Brazil, on her bronze, said: "I'm training because I want to go to Nanjing. The bronze is a very good result for me, it's the beginning of a great dream."

In the men's 3m springboard final, Rodrigo Diego (MEX) took out the gold medal, totalling 630.75 points. The Mexican create a sensation at home, clinching his first international award, delivering a brilliant performance. Hao Yang (CHN) and Nikita Shleikher (RUS) tied for second with 571.75.

Diego, whose mother fell ill and suffered a stroke six months ago, was able to perform his best in Guadalajara.  

"My medal is dedicated to my mom and my coaches because it is not just my job," said Rodrigo Diego, who was inspired by home heroes Ivan Garcia and German Sanchez to start diving.

The third annual Open Water Swimming Competition organized by NadoSeguro (www.nadoseguro.com) has been announced, and will take place on April 27 in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit. The event is open to amateur and professional athletes of all ages.

Children 7 to 20 will make a 500 m lap; ages 11 and 12 will swim 1.250 km.; ages 13 and 14 will swim 2.5 km, and amateurs 15 and older will be required to complete 3.75 km in under 2 hours.

The main competition will be a 5k race for professionals with a time limit of 1 hour, 20 min. In 2011, two competitors from Guadalajara won this race: Manuel Chiu, with a time of 1:04:28, and Andrea Gutiérrez, who finished in 1:12:13. In 2012, Alan Rojas Sagrero, timing 1:01:33, and Lizeth Rueda Santos, at 01:03:26, were the champions.

Registration will be open until April 24. The cost until April 21 is $550 pesos, increasing to $600 pesos after that date. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

'Sea level offers better conditions for competition', Meneses, said president of the Swimming Association

Puerto Vallarta, the Pacific Ocean resort city on Mexico’s west coast is preparing to host its first FIVB Beach Volleyball international event when the double-gender FIVB Puerto Vallarta Open is held May 6-11.

This weekend Zacualpan and Las Varas are expected to be jam packed with fishermen and their families gathered to enjoy casting out on the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit.

The yearly sport fishing calendar on the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit is keeping busy: April 5-6 marks the return of the 6th Annual Boca de Chila Beach Surf Fishing Tournament to the shores of Zacualpan and Las Varas.

The Tepic Surf Fishing Club and the Government of the State of Nayarit, as well as the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) are extending an invitation to lovers of the rod and reel to participate in this sports competition.

Registration costs are $70 Mexican pesos on the 5th, when the 4th place winner will take the pool of 80% of the registration fees. On the 6th the registration fee goes up to $220 pesos and the top three places will win the pool as follows: 1st place 40%, 2nd place 20% and 3rd place 10%.

All the prizes are based on the heaviest catch by species: red snapper, yellow tail, halibut, sierra, needlefish, dorado and snook. Minimum weights will be upheld in order to protect the species.

Those interested in participating are invited to visit the Surf Fishing Tepic Facebook page. This is a non-profit event, as declared by Mario Real, President of the Tepic Surf Fishing Club.

“The remaining percentages will be kept by the Club to cover logistics,” he stated. “We’re expecting another full tournament with local fishermen and visitors from other states, as well. Every year we hope to top the one before.”

One of the characteristics of this tournament is its family atmosphere. Last year’s event boasted 66 participants, among them men, women, adolescents and children. The year before that had 41 participants, so the tendency towards growth continues.

“On Saturday April 5th we’ll be starting off with a lightning tournament from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and afterwards the participants are invited to camp out on the beach and enjoy themselves. On Sunday the 6th the tournament begins at 5 a.m. and ends at the closing of the scales at 1 p.m. Following that the winners will be awarded their prizes on the podium,” explained the Club President.

All times are shown in Pacific Standard Time (PST).

The continuous nature of these tournaments guarantees plenty of practice and enjoyment for the fishermen, while continually generating tourism and positioning for the Riviera Nayarit in the sport fishing market.

Boxing has become much of a fringe event to many sports fans but its overall effect on the sporting psyche cannot be ignored.

How often do we hear a big matchup in football, basketball or other pastimes likened to a title fight?

Announcers constantly pair two respective teams as fighters from opposite corners and let the starting lineup go through as the tale of the tape.

That being said and all things considered, the Sweet Science is likely one of the most unique in terms of rivalries established and the need for settling the wrongs; and sometimes the rights. Certain sides can't get past their sporting nemesis and it's usually more a matter of will power that helps the victors prevail.

Boxing is different and anyone who truly believes that Timothy "Desert Storm” Bradley was the rightful winner over Manny Pacquiao in June 2012 should be among the first in line for a time warp back to 1967 and The Summer of Love.

Such was a time when life with a tab of acid under their respective tongues was more generally accepted. Bradley's win was met with almost universal disdain and disbelief across the sporting world in general and the need for a rematch didn’t exactly beckon for some, as most observers saw the fight as a wash in Pacquiao’s favor.

Not many can argue that the Palm Springs, California fighter left his ring mettle in an unaccomplished position. His hard fought total of twenty four round wars with Ruslan Provodnikov (UD 12) and Juan Manuel Marquez (SD 12) in March and October 2013, respectively brought redemption to Bradley’s resume in terms of his toughness and willingness to cut his teeth within the squared circle.

However, there are still questions to be answered and the biggest one may be indeed if Manny Pacquiao has the fire left within him to reverse the sentiments of June 2012.

He’ll get his chance in a bit more than a week’s time, as the rematch between he and Bradley has been set for next Saturday April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The ongoing trend from the Bradley camp is that the “Pac Man” has lost his competitive fire and any willingness to relentlessly thrash his opponent. Such was the norm during Manny’s seven year, fifteen fight unbeaten run which was abruptly halted by Tim Bradley. Scratch that and make it Duane Ford and C.J. “Bye Bye Birdie” Ross.

It could very well have been the case that Pacquiao chose not to maul through Bradley or perhaps that he simply was unable to do so.

Justice is sometimes too raw or rotten to serve and fighters can’t always complain when three ringside observers pick up where they left off.

Championship bouts allow more than half an hour of ring time to settle matters. Time runs out on some and decisions must be made, even as inexplicable as some may be.

Nevertheless, Tim remains content as a cinder block on his stance that he was the correct man to have had his hand raised that hot summer night in 2012, Pacquiao remains as humble as ever. It’s refreshing but some fans aren’t buying it.

Literally.

A quick examination of ticket sales and availability will likely astound even the most ardent boxing fan. Granted, tickets to just about anything north of a breakfast buffet in Las Vegas ain’t cheap by any means, yet this has not stopped fans in the past. The hypothesis may be that the legions of Asia remain while the casual fan has begun to look elsewhere.

All the guy had to do was lose two fights in a row (while many thought he was undefeated) and the shifty Sammies and fickle Franks went along the wayside, as did Nike.

[readon1 url="http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/4338-Pacquiao-vs-Bradley-2-Boxing-Legions#2hztPCiLMsb6jePs.99"]Source: www.fightsaga.com[/readon1]

The destination seeks to use the game of polo to strengthen luxury tourism, the Premium segment and investments; all of these elements dovetail perfectly with the Riviera Nayarit and its objectives.

The 3rd International Beach Polo Cup 2014 was announced during a press conference; the event will be held May 1 – 4 at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta. This is the sixth time the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) will be backing the event; it’s the third time it will take place on the beach.

The event has grown to encompass eight teams: two from Guadalajara and two from Mexico City, plus teams from Italy, Canada and Switzerland, as well as a mixed team with players from Mexico and Argentina. It is also being extended one more day for a total of four days.

José Antonio Amutio, Marketing Director for Tucané and part of the organizing committee, informed they are expecting a 30% increase in visitors compared with last year’s cup, which had around 650 spectators.

“Pablo Pieres, the top polo player in the world, will be participating in the event,” said Amutio. “Polo is a bridge to investments, as we are expecting an influx of celebrities and international businessmen.”

This sporting event blends glamour, luxury, rock, beach and family. The date was chosen to take advantage of a national holiday.

“Thanks to the support of the Riviera Nayarit CVB and the State Government the events at the Hard Rock keep coming and keep getting bigger,” said Manuel Rubio, General Manager of the host hotel.

Among the novelties of the 2014 event: it will be the first tournament with augmented reality taking place during the event itself, generating interaction through technology. Another special touch: each of the trophies is an exclusive work of art.

The Riviera Nayarit CVB promotes and encourages high-expenditure tourism per the direction of the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association and the State Government.

“I would like to thank the organizers who have put together this event for the sixth time, as it clearly identifies the Riviera Nayarit as a luxury destination,” said Marc Murphy, General Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This type of event fits perfectly with the destination. It’s a luxury sport that attracts tourism with high purchasing power, which greatly helps the bay area.”

[readon1 url="http://www.rivieranayaritblog.com/2014/03/3rd-riviera-nayarit-international-beach.html#more"]Source:www.rivieranayaritblog.com[/readon1]

Together with the world cup that took place last January, this regatta gives her a pass to enter the Pre-Olympic Championship in Rio de Janeiro this year, as well as entry into the World Championships in Spain, where she will be representing Mexico.

There were two championships at play in the J24 category—one from North America and one for the 2014 Mexico Cup. Both were won by Mike Ingham and the “Digger” team, with athletes from Sweden, Mexico, Denmark and the United States.

“This is probably the best place where I’ve ever sailed, it’s excellent! This is the best regatta thanks to its organization and its hosts,” Ingham said. “The conditions are perfect and we were never worried.”

The Oceanic trophy was awarded to “Bandido” and its captain, Ernesto Amtmann, who is also the Honorary President and Founder of the Mexico Cup Regatta.

“I think I can honestly say the Riviera Nayarit is poised to become one of the main—if not the top—tourism destination for nautical sports in the country and in the Mexican Pacific. It’s a rare place where you can sail 365 days of the year, there’s nowhere like this to the north or the south; it’s a very privileged location,” he added.

For a complete list of results please visit: http://www.regatacopamexico.com/

[readon1 url="http://www.rivieranayaritblog.com/2014/03/announcing-first-round-of-winners-for.html#more"]Source:www.rivieranayaritblog.com[/readon1]

Most likely, the history books will show the 2014 San Diego to Vallarta race as not a particularly fast race, but it wasn’t a slow one either. We had two world class trimarans entered, and without a spectacular weather system to hurl them at once in a while speeds, both entries beat the flat out speed record from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta established by Steve Fossett aboard Lakota (size/type) in 1998. Tom Siebels MOD 70 established the new mark of 2 days, 8 hours, 33 mins, 0 sec. Almost 6 hours later, HL Enloe’s Orma 60 limped across the line (broken port foil), also just an hour under Fossetts benchmark time. Renamed ‘Mighty Merloe’, this tri dominated the maxi-trimaran circuit when it was built and was the design basis for the MOD 70.

In the more traditional monohull fleet, there was good depth of entries. Twenty two boats were divided into four groups. Division 4 (4 boats) had the classic Lapworth designed Westward, who is making the West Coast ocean racing circuit this year, recently placing well in the 2013 Transpac… up to the classic maxi Velos (Tanton 73). Division 3 (5 boats) was the ‘50ish’ class including the venerable SC 50s, a J/125, and Rogers 46. Division 2 was the “West Coast 70s” class (6 boats). It is always a good thing when the 70s decide to show up. They are the hallmark of West Coast downwind sailing. Division 1 was the ‘turbo’ sleds (6 boats). These are the ‘sleds’ of the 21st century. They could also be called the “Transpac” class due to the design philosophy of the “TP” boats – 52s like Vincitore and Meanie, and 65s like Bad Pak. Smaller than the classes 70’s, but seem to have an extra forward gear and lots of speed.

In general terms, 2014 favored the smaller boats and Friday starters. The Division 3 and 4 boats started Friday, March 14, and got off the coast in a moderate but steady breeze. After 24hrs of sailing most of them had committed to staying off shore (recommended at a very nice skippers meeting with weather briefing from BuoyWeather and Peter Isler) and were well down past Punta Baja, gybing for some easterly progress. Saturday March 15 the Division 2 and 1 boats roared out of Point Loma on a better developed westerly breeze, but in 15 hours, most of the fleet was parked up at San Carlos while the Friday starters managed to escape the hole and kept steady progress south. By the time the sleds got going again mid-Monday, the Friday group was well past Cedros Island. This was key for the ‘little’ boats to stay in the game for overall honors.

It is worth writing here, about the completely different, “nuclear fast” trimarans. They started on Saturday also. In a single 24 hour period, with no special weather conditions, the two trimarans, basically match racing as they romped down the coast on a 500 mile/day pace, went winging through the Friday start fleets. Someone has a cool story to tell as we heard there were a few ‘crossings’ with the Tris zooming astern by a few boat lengths at 30 knots. They both went way outside in the first 24 hours (almost to Guadalupe Island) and avoided the trap the other Saturday starters lumbered into. Mostly because they could. But speed has a price. At some point in day two, Mighty Merloe discovered they had a broken port foil. They aren’t sure if they hit something or it just failed after 10 years of really fast sailing and lunging through the ocean. The foils provide significant stability to the tri design while it is hurling along. Without it, the boat is much more prone to pitch poling (bows dig into the water and the boat capsizes stern over bow!). So the crew adapted their tactics, and slowed the boat on one gybe, but held on tight on the other (when the broken foil would be retracted and out of the water anyway). And so it went down to the finish. Orion finished in two days, eight hours, thirty-three minutes, zero seconds. Race Committee spent more time at anchor finishing boats at Punta Mita than both the tris did sailing the 1000 mile course.

So by Tuesday, March 18, the sleds were passing Mag Bay and their hopes of a shot at first to finish were coming back. No special weather/surfing the waves (that is in the brochure)… just steady ‘better’ progress for the big boats. The Friday boats were entering the ‘crossing’ zone (where the race restarts) as they prepared to round the tip of Baja and cross the Sea of Cortez. And again, most of them pulled through this part of the course without major parking. And again…the sleds didn’t. Division 3 boats Bretwalda 3 and Hamachi along with Division 4 Velos played this hole the best and stretched their lead on everyone, which turned into a 1-2-3 overall performance, respectively for these sailors. Congratulations and ‘well played’!

And, for the third time, the sleds slid into yet another dead zone south of Cabo. “Brutal” was how it was described by several of the more experienced competitors. With tracking courtesy of Yellowbrick, family, friends and the Race Committee could watch each boat with, most notably, its speed and distance to go, updated each hour. Not often do you see sleds going 0.8. As for “inside or out” with respect to rounding Cabo… from watching the tracker, it would seem that the inside paid this year. That is not always the case. But for Vincitore (1st Class 1), Peligroso (2nd Class 1) and Pyewacket (1st Class 2), ducking under Cabo this year was the move.

Besides thanking all the skippers and crew that chose to come play with us, to say thank you to the following is an understatement. This event was brought to you by Steve Maloweny, Vallarta Race Chair. This is Steve’s second “PV Chair”, and he, in cooperation with MEXORC, brought the event back to Marina Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta proper. Thanks also to Karen Bush, trophy Chair, and to Commodore Sinks, Director Biehl and all the other members that came down to lend a hand and/or share in the camaraderie of this great west coast race.

Another huge thanks goes out to Bob Shinn and his Grand Banks 42 Andante, which was the finish boat. Bob and his boat came south in the cruiser rally “FUBAR” late last year. Having a nice platform and being at anchor for five days to finish boats, store provisions, supply a dinghy for support, electronics, radios, etc. is huge. Thanks also to SDYC member Mike Satterly who lives in Sayulita MX and assisted with many logistical details, not the least of which was helping at all hours on the finish boat. Both Bob and Mike are veterans of the PV race , even sailing together years ago when Manzanillo was the destination port. A special crew thanks goes out to Phil and Nancy Rink, a couple from Seattle and cruising MX for the last year, who happened to be anchored near the finish and jumped right in to help keep marks inflated, load beer bags, run for ice, vet finish formulas, and otherwise keep the RC company. And finally, everyone participating should acknowledge the Mexican Board of Tourisim, who actively supports this event, this year helping to underwrite the kickoff party at SDYC and the awards dinner at the Vallarta Westin Resort.

First, we would like to thank the skipper and crew aboard Holua. They lost their prop just 17 miles into the race. Without much indecision, they determined the proper and safe thing to do was return to SD to consider a repair, before deciding to inquire if it would be possible to resume racing. In the end, they decided to retire and forego the trip, and other plans to participate in MEXORC. Tough call, but thank you for all the proper consideration of safety and the rules.

Then, it occurs to me that there are two kinds of ‘courage’ when it comes to light air racing. First, there are those that have put so much preparation, time, money, etc. into participating in the race but realize when the fun meter is broken, and retire from the race to preserve their sanity. SC 50 Deception should be applauded for that kind of courage. They swung by the RC finish boat in Punta Mita in high spirits and good humor. That takes courage and perspective.

Then, there are those who will keep sailing come hell, glassy water, scurvy…whatever. They deal with the seemingly prejudicial weather. They steel themselves against the slatting, and demoralizing lack of progress. While everyone no doubt has these stories…Mirage should be applauded for this courage…they gave their final five mile check in at 0356 PDT. They were going 4 kts. They gave their 2 mile check in at 0500 making 1 kt. At the 0700 tracker ping, they were .4 nm from the finish and going .3. And at 0832, they crossed the finish line! While they didn’t really have another choice, the last five miles of their 1000 mile journey took a little more than four and a half hours. That is a different kind of courage. Standing O.

We hope to see you all in 2016!

[readon1 url="http://sdyc.org/pv/"]Source:sdyc.org[/readon1]

82 contestants from Sayulita, San Blas, San Pancho, Bucerías, Punta de Mita and Colima participated in this second annual tournament, where the Sayulita surfers swept the lead.