Issue #: 188
Published: March / April 2023
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The event is fast becoming a classic for multihull fans - and so much the better! Conceived in 2019 by the enthusiastic, 82-year-old American Stephen Burzon, the regatta is organized by the St. Maarten Yacht Club in February – this year’s event having just taken place, from February 4 to 6.
For the 2023 edition, on the racing, there were 6 entrants in the CSA1 class, 5 in the CSA2 and 3 categories and finally 6 participants among the Diam 24s. This one-design fleet is so active in Sint Maarten - with a very dynamic concentration in Philipsburg - that we’ll be devoting a complete article to it very soon.
Clearly, nothing can slow the enthusiasm of the organizers and participants - even the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic didn’t cause the event to be canceled. The Caribbean Multihull Challenge, now in its fifth year, has already matured and continues to develop new concepts. This year, the CMC proposed the Around Saba record starting from Simpson Bay. This 52-mile race, called the Around Saba Dash, was won by Fujin, Greg Slyngstad's 53-foot boat with curiously shaped bows. The catamaran made short work of beating the Gunboat 60 Cui Bono, coming in one hour behind. The first established time for this record is therefore 3 hours, 21 minutes and 35 seconds. In the opinion of all the local sailors, this extraordinary time will be difficult to beat... a fact that doesn’t fail to amuse the skipper: “Fujin's record will stand until we see an MOD70 back on the circuit!” Although the true wind never exceeded 22 knots, the Bieker 53 managed to reach 25 knots. An impressive speed for a cruiser-racer - but still a long way from this all-carbon catamaran’s best top speed of 32 knots... The third day’s racing proved to be the most muscular with gusts over 30 knots. In these conditions, the Diam 24s were asked to stay at anchor...
The 2023 edition also saw the birth of a rally division - in addition to the race. This fleet became itinerant, with attractive stopovers made in Anse Marcel, on the French side of St. Martin, and on the neighboring island of Anguilla with festivities organized ashore. The rally fleet saw 12 multihulls come together - 11 catamarans and 1 trimaran. Among the former, no less than 6 Balance catamarans were present. Just ahead of the event, the brand, under the impulse of Phil Berman, founder and manager, had organized a gathering in Saint-Martin to mark an anniversary that could not be missed - Balance Catamarans is indeed celebrating its 10th birthday.
1st CSA 1: Fujin
2nd CSA 2: Tryst
3rd CSA 1: La Novia
4th Diam 24: Cry Baby
www.caribbeanmultihullchallenge.com
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