Photo by Laurence Morel (www.SaltyColours.com)
SIMPSON BAY--With just three weeks until registration opens for the 2026 Caribbean Multihull Challenge (CMC), the pressure is on and the race committee is shifting into high gear. Already an exciting mix of multihulls, with familiar teams returning and new contenders want to join the Challenge. Teams ready to register including Falcon and Layla. They have sparked interest among fellow sailors and are shaping early buzz around the fleet. As the only multihull-specific regatta in the Caribbean, the CMC will take place from January 28 to February 1, 2026, featuring both a competitive racing fleet and a relaxed rally fleet for sailors who prefer to enjoy the event at a more leisurely pace.
Among the featured entries is Layla, the Gunboat 72 that dominated the 2025 season by taking first place in the CSA 1 racing class. A stunning example of a cruising-optimized Gunboat, Layla was designed with cruising in mind. Launched in 2024, she has quickly made her mark in the multihull world, not only through impressive performances but also thanks to her unique flybridge, which centralizes sail controls while offering unobstructed views. Add in lounge seating and modern comfort, and Layla brings a whole new concept to multihull racing.
Another entry sure to turn heads is Falcon, a striking 14-meter DNF F4 foiling catamaran built in the Netherlands. The F4 is an exhilarating 14-meter carbon foiling catamaran, engineered to push the limits in long-distance racing. The boat is the result of a close collaboration between Shannon Falcone, two-time America’s Cup winner, professional sailor Tommy Loughborough, and the engineers and design team at DNA, including the renowned Dutch industrial designer Rudo Enserink. Today, Falcon stands out as a truly unique yacht, her vibrant yellow hull and foiling capabilities making her impossible to overlook on the water. The 2026 event promises to be a fascinating showdown, as Layla and Falcon are fresh off a close contest in the Multihull Cup in Mallorca just a few months ago, where Falcon narrowly beat Layla by a single point.
Just when you think the event couldn’t get any more interesting, rumor has it that Olympic champion Eduardo Penido from Brazil, aboard the Tony Granger designed Raku 44 Bellatrix, has expressed interest in racing during the Challenge.
Eduardo put Brazil on the map in the world of sailing and hasn’t slowed down since. Beyond his Olympic success, he has competed in prestigious events such as the Admiral’s Cup in the mid-1980s, the Transat Jacques Vabre, where he raced with the first-ever all-Brazilian team, finishing 6th, and the 12 Metre Wright on White in Newport. Recognized as a technical and sporting reference in the sailing world, his dedication to offshore racing makes him a formidable contender. The racing for the 8th edition of the Caribbean Multihull Challenge will unfold in and around the stunning waters of St. Maarten.
The fleet will tackle a variety of legs, including a 60-mile sprint around St. Barths, a 52-mile dash to Saba and back, and a 27-mile navigational challenge weaving through the rocks and smaller islands of Sint Maarten. One day is reserved for sailing primarily along the island’s south shore, where the winds are strong but the waves are gentler offering a perfect balance of speed, strategy, and spectacular scenery.
