The first running of the newly launched International Maxi Association’s Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series concluded on Sunday with the end of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival held out of Nanny Cay, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
The new series recognises the growing part of maxi yachting – private owners who wish to race large, fast multihulls, either for their pure blistering speed, in the case of the MOD70 trimarans, or, in the case of the catamarans, because their performance, combined with their huge interiors, make them the ultimate cruiser-racers.
The Series kicked off with the Caribbean Multihull Challenge held in St Maarten at the beginning of February, continued mid-February with the RORC Caribbean 600 (the Series’ sole offshore race), returned north for St Maarten Heineken Regatta at the beginning of March before finishing last week in the BVI. The series featured ten 60+ft maxi multihulls. Ultimately the Nigel Irens-designed 84ft catamaran Allegra of Switzerland’s Adrian Keller won the inaugural IMA Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series by a single point over Todd Slyngstad’s HH66 catamaran Nemo.
In fact the accomplished, well-seasoned crew on Nemo, led by Slyngstad and including experienced American pro Ryan Braymaier, sailed supremely, winning their class both at the Caribbean Multihull Challenge and BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. However a premium points co-efficient for the RORC Caribbean 600 just put Keller’s catamaran ahead.
While there were 6 in the Performance Multihull class, Allegra’s direct competition were Nemo and Don Wilson’s Gunboat 68 Convexity² with an all-star crew led by the Australia SailGP team’s Kinley Fowler and with Ocean Race winning skipper Charlie Enright calling tactics.
From here Allegra heads north to the US for the Newport Bermuda Race before returning to Europe where she will take part in the IMA’s new Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge.
The trophy for the IMA Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series will be presented to Keller at the Association’s Annual Members’ Dinner in Porto Cervo in September.
The IMA Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series will take place again in 2025.
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For more on the IMA Caribbean Maxi Series events:
Caribbean Multihull Challenge Race and Rally
BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival
