It’s not every day you watch a 10-year-old grow into a national champion, world traveler, and inspirational coach—but that’s exactly what Vallarta Yacht Club witnessed with Cris Ortiz. Cris has been part of the VYC family since she was just 10 years old. Her mother, Marie Elena Vivas, moved the family to the area after recognizing that her three children were exceptionally talented sailors who needed regular training in Banderas Bay to reach their full potential.
Cris grew up in the Junior Sailing program at VYC and, along with her twin sister Andrea, was a force to be reckoned with. The two dominated WesMex Regattas, often leaving with three trophies apiece. Early in her sailing career, Cris earned spots in several prestigious international competitions during her Optimist (Opti) days.
After aging out of the Opti class, she transitioned to RS:X—a powerful windsurfing rig, particularly challenging for someone of her stature. But Cris thrived, becoming one of the top five RS:X competitors in Mexico. She later moved on to iQFoil, the new Olympic-class windsurfer, where she again rose to the top tier nationally and became a member of the Mexican Olympic Team. Her competitive journey took her to major events in Switzerland, The Hague, France, and Lake Garda, among others.
When Mexico’s single iQFoil Olympic spot went to another sailor, Cris made the decision to focus on coaching. Fortunately for VYC, she returned to her home club three years ago to lead and mentor the next generation of Junior Sailors.
Since then, Cris has made a tremendous impact as a coach—bringing her international experience, competitive drive, and infectious enthusiasm to the program. Her dedication and guidance have shaped countless young sailors.
Now, Cris is embarking on a new adventure as the Head Coach of the summer program in Annapolis. From there, she will move to Chicago to coach the traveling RS:X team at Lake Forest Sailing.
Vallarta Yacht Club bids her a fond farewell and wishes her all the best in this exciting next chapter. She will always be part of the VYC family!