As the multihull trend continues to spiral upwards with no end in sight to the number of boats enjoying the winter racing series in the Caribbean, the BVI Spring Regatta is excited to now be part of the inaugural Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series.

The event expects several maxi multihulls to race in the 51st edition of the event April 1-7, 2024, and encourages boats who may be in the area after the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta to consider BVI Spring Regatta 2024 as part of the CMMS.

Organized by the International Maxi Association (IMA), the Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series (CMMS) comprises a mix of inshore and offshore races at the selected regattas, some of which have already been sailed this year:

• Caribbean Multihull Challenge Race and Rally (St Maarten): 1-4 February
• RORC Caribbean 600 (Antigua-Antigua): 19 February
• St. Maarten Heineken Regatta (St Maarten): 29 February-3 March
• BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival (Tortola, BVI): 1-7 April

 Allegra (SUI) and Gunboat 68 Convexity² (USA) will both compete in the BVI Spring Regatta © Carlo Borlenghi / ROLEX

The CMMS was created by the IMA following its successful series in the Mediterranean for maxi monohulls. The series is open to maxi multihulls 60+ft (18.29m) LH. To qualify for the 2024 CMMS teams must compete in a minimum of two events. Boats that sail more can discard their lowest result. Teams that compete in more events are rewarded at the end of series scoring, and the winner will have their name engraved on a silver perpetual trophy presented by the IMA.

“Multihull growth has exploded, the boats are fun to sail, competitive, and the measurers are refining the handicaps to make the results more competitive,” noted Chris Haycraft, Regatta Chair, BVI Spring Regatta. “Multihulls have a great class in BVI Spring Regatta where the race committee has constantly refined the needs of the sailors through close communication to give them the races that allow them to kick their heels up and have some great races.”

A contender for this year’s CMMS grand prize is Adrian Keller’s Irens 84 catamaran Allegra, the defending MOCRA class champion who took fifth place in the multihull division of the recent RORC Caribbean 600, and who will also be racing BVI Spring Regatta.

Todd Slyngstad’s HH66 Nemo – photo © Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com

“We are always looking forward to great racing in fantastic locations,” Keller commented. “Racing in the BVIs will be a new experience for the Allegra team. We always enjoy applying the boat and crews’ skill sets to new and challenging environments, not to mention the warm winds, beautiful scenery and challenging course and fun times ashore – a perfect Caribbean cocktail. We will certainly look forward to meeting new people and have some great racing on the water.”

Registration is still open for the 2024 edition of the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival – it’s not too late to join in the fun for warm water and hot racing! Enter HERE.

For all the latest news please go to: www.bvispringregatta.org

List of Entries HERE

by Michelle Slade / BVISR