Regatta or rally, the choice is yours!
This event was conceived following a simple observation by the enthusiastic, 82-year-old American Stephen Burzon: that while St. Maarten seems to be the epicenter of multihull sailing, it does not benefit from an event 100% dedicated to catamarans and trimarans. This is why Steve, with the support of the St. Maarten Yacht Club, launched a first edition in 2019, repeating it again in 2020. The dates chosen at that time in mid-February overlapped with those of the Miami Boat Show; however, the event is now held at the beginning of February - this year it took place from February 4 to 6. For this 2023 edition, on the racing side, we counted 6 entrants in the CSA1 class, 5 for the CSA2 and 3 categories and finally 6 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.
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Publié le
30/03/2023
Par
Emmanuel van Deth
Numéro :
189
Parution :
May.
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Jun.
2023
The 2023 edition of the CMC stood out from previous editions, with the birth of a rally division - in addition to the “traditional” race. This fleet set out from St Martin, but followed an itinerant course, one that became an itinerant course with attractive stopovers – these were at 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, in fact celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. This strongly represented yard has set a course to be followed. Stephen believes that it’s the boatbuilders who will ensure the future growth of the rally fleet: “The agreement with Balance was incredible, and it’s something we want to offer to other brands in the future. The participants were treated to some amazing parties, live music, dancing, photo shoots, organized games and of course sailing. I really want to involve other brands like HH Catamarans, Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot and others. My plan is to organize this as a rally for as many boaters as possible.” – Watch this space!
Do you fancy the Caribbean Multihull Challenge Race and Rally? Head over to Saint-Martin from February 2 to 4, 2024.
1st CSA 1: Fujin
2nd CSA 2: Tryst
3rd CSA 1: La Novia
4th Diam 24: Cry Baby
The CSA 2-winning trimaran Tryst began her career in the late 1960’s as a day-charter
boat in the US Virgin Islands.
boat in the US Virgin Islands.
Under spinnaker with 1 reef in the mainsail, the Leopard 47 Seaduction reached top speeds of 18 knots.
The Diam 24 Cry Baby, a regular on the podium, finished first in her class.
Gunboat 60 Cui Bono is owned by Freddy Mills: this Nigel Irens designed catamaran is based in Antigua.
A great atmosphere aboard this Lagoon 380 chartered by an all-female crew!
Half of the 12 multihulls in the rally division were Balance Catamarans. They’d gathered just ahead of the event in Saint-Martin to celebrate the shipyard’s 10th anniversary.
