There will be fire on the water at the 8th Caribbean Multihull Challenge as some of the top multihulls in the Caribbean vie for a win in the new Honneurs de Ligne (Line Honors) Series, which will be part of the four-day racing format of this versatile regatta.
The 2026 event will feature red-hot racing and a laid-back cruising rally, both occurring simultaneously on the island of St. Maarten / St. Martin in the northeastern Caribbean, beginning on January 29, 2026.
Racing for larger boats will consist of three long-distance races: a 60-mile course around St. Barth’s, a 52-mile race around Saba, and a 27-mile navigational challenge around the island. For smaller and more cruising-oriented multihulls that still want great racing, the CMC will also offer four days of shorter but highly competitive courses closer to the island.
While this competition is underway, a varied fleet of top-end cruising multihulls will rendezvous in the area, with nightly, exciting, and fun stops on both the French and Dutch sides of the island, as well as a remarkable night in legendary St. Barth’s. Each overnight stop will feature themed parties, including a memorable “Tropical Bright” beach party on Friday evening, hosted by the St. Barth Yacht Club.
On Saturday, all participants will be treated to the second annual Great Bay Beach and Boardwalk Jamboree, with a stop in the Dutch capital of Philipsburg. This will feature spectator-oriented 24-foot trimaran racing, organized beach sports competitions, shopping on St. Maarten’s famous Front Street, and more.
In last-minute “stop the presses” news, Marcos Sirota, a long-time CMC friend and competitor with his 37-foot Corsair trimaran Honey Badger, announced that he has purchased the ORMA 60-inspired ex-Paradox 3 — fresh winner of the 2025 Fastnet — to race in several 2026 Caribbean regattas, beginning with the CMC in late January.
Representing the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Sophia, as she is now named, was a standout in the 2020 (second CMC) sailing under the name Shockwave, racing in a class alongside MOD70s Maserati and Argo. Sophia is a Nigel Irens-designed 63-foot trimaran with modest cruising comforts built in. She was constructed of carbon and foam by Marsaudon Composites in Lorient, France.
All CMC management and volunteers welcome the arrival of Marcos’ Sophia and her experienced crew, and hope she will be joined by other remarkable multihulls in what is certain to be a fantastic four days of sailing.
Registration for CMC VIII is now open at: www.YachtScoring.com
