Season-long competition showcased the depth and diversity of Caribbean multihull racing
With the conclusion of the 2026 Caribbean racing season, the results of the Caribbean Sailing Association’s Budget Marine Windies Multihull Trophy have been confirmed.
The championship once again highlighted the strength and variety of multihull racing across the region, with 36 boats competing in qualifying events stretching from Barbados to the British Virgin Islands.
The season included Barbados Sailing Week, the Round Barbados Race, Rum to Spice, Grenada Sailing Week, the Caribbean Multihull Challenge, the RORC Antigua 360, the RORC Caribbean 600, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, the BVI Around Tortola Race, the BVI Spring Regatta, the Antigua Racing Cup, and Antigua Sailing Week.
Competitors could enter any of the qualifying events, with each boat’s best five scores counting toward the final standings. Points were weighted according to the number of entries in each division, rewarding both strong results and participation in competitive fleets.
Sophia Wins the 60 Feet and Over Division
In the 60 Feet and Over Class, Sophia, a 63-foot Nigel Irens-designed trimaran owned by Marcos Sirota, emerged as the overall winner.
Sophia accumulated 24 points during the season, with her best five results producing a winning total of 19 points. The trimaran competed in seven qualifying events, demonstrating both consistency and commitment throughout the campaign.
Defending champion Layla, a Gunboat 72, finished second overall with nine points after competing in three events.
Third place went to Little Wing, which scored six points during her first Caribbean racing season. The Gunboat 68, owned by Rich McKinney, competed in five qualifying events and quickly established herself as a competitive addition to the region’s growing multihull fleet.
La Novia Successfully Defends Under 60 Feet Title
The Under 60 Feet Class produced another closely contested championship.
Georges Coutu’s Leopard 50 La Novia successfully defended her title, securing back-to-back Windies Multihull Trophy victories with 17 points from four qualifying events.
La Novia racing at the Caribbean Multihull Challenge. Photo: Laurens Morel.
Second place went to Airgasm, a Corsair 31-1D owned by Barney Crook of Tortola. Airgasm amassed 16 points despite competing in only two events, delivering impressive performances each time she took to the racecourse.
Wellness Training, an MG5, finished third with 14 points.
Wellness Training ended the season level on points with the ORC 50 Calamity, but secured the final podium position under the Windies Multihull Trophy tie-break rule after competing in more qualifying events.
“The continued success of the Windies Multihull Trophy reflects the passion and dedication of the Caribbean’s multihull sailors,” said CSA Measurer David Walworth. “Congratulations to all of this season’s competitors, and especially to Sophia and La Novia for their outstanding performances.”
Walworth added that the Caribbean continues to offer one of the world’s most varied and exciting multihull racing circuits.
“From offshore races to regattas and around-the-island challenges, this season showcased the strength of our fleet and the commitment of owners and crews across the region. We congratulate all the competitors and look forward to welcoming an even stronger fleet next season.”
Trophy Presentation Set for Sint Maarten
The Caribbean Sailing Association thanked Budget Marine for its continued sponsorship of the trophy, along with the race organizers, volunteers, scorers, and members of the CSA Multihull Committee whose efforts make the season-long championship possible.
The 2026 Budget Marine Windies Multihull Trophy will be formally presented during the 2027 Caribbean Multihull Challenge, scheduled for February 4–7, 2027, in Sint Maarten.
