Multihull Cup 2025 - Day 1
by Multihull Cup 27 Sep 06:06 NZST
26-28 September 2025
2025 Multihull Cup Day 1 ©
www.sailingenergy.com
On what proved a mellow if challenging introduction to the delights of the Multihull Cup for the trio of first timers taking part, it was the Mallorcan event veteran Allegra which showed the fleet the way to go.
The elegant Nigel Irens designed 84-footer took line honours and corrected time victory in the opening Gunboat Race Day 1 at the annual celebration of multihull performance sailing.
In fine, bright but light conditions off Mallorca's stunning south coast the diverse Multihull Cup fleet were able to race after a short postponement, though the course had to be eventually shortened in the 7-9 knot breeze.
Allegra took her win after 82 minutes of racing on calm waters, ultimately seven minutes on corrected time ahead of the semi-custom Morrelli & Melvin 65 Gaea, with both the DNA F4 foiling catamaran Falcon and Gunboat 72 Layla following close behind.
Her race skipper Paul Larsen said: "So it was a really fun day on the water, better than expected. What was really good was to see the race committee pick the best window to start the race, which gave us good wind all the way down the course, and they shortened it at just the right time, which was also good.
"The boats behind were in a really tight race and we were out there knowing we had to make every minute count. We've got quite an unusual selection of boats here as we've got everything from a foiling F4 all the way up to the 84-foot Allegra, so we know there's going to be a bit of separation on the water."
And Larsen added: "What I like about this regatta her at Port Adriano is that it is really easy to get out on the racecourse, and the aim is to tailor the event to multihulls so we can all make it whatever we want it to be that best suits the boats. It's very flexible in that regard, it's just a beautiful place to go sailing. This is the seventh editions and it is as good as ever."
Gaea's owner Zachary Plavsic, making his debut at Multihull Cup with a second-place finish, expressed similar sentiments: "Today was a fun day of racing, as we didn't think we were going to get any racing in with the light winds forecast, but the race committee did an amazing job.
"We actually had close racing tacking on top of each other, in fact a lot closer than I expected. It was really enjoyable."
Plavsic, a Canadian double Olympic windsurfer, added that his journey to MHC had started at last year's event: "I had found out about the Multihull Cup last year from some Olympic sailing friends, so I drove down and met everyone here on the dock, and found out how friendly everyone was. It's fun, casual racing and you can make it as serious or as fun as you want. It was very nice for me to come to something so welcoming."
While third placed Falcon was unable to show the fleet her foiling abilities in the light conditions, her skipper Shannon Falcone was also celebrating the boat's first appearance at the Mallorcan event.
"It's the first day here and it was a difficult start to the event with some tough conditions to deal with'" he said.
"The sea breeze did fill in but it was super light, though it was good to get a race off on the first day. For us it was a good check-in as it has been some months since we raced against these larger multihulls.
It's my first time here for the Multihull Cup but the mindset and the vibe is good in the sense it's competitive but fun and you all come back here to Port Adriano moored together, so that's something I'm looking forward to over the next few days."
Racing continues tomorrow at the Multihull Cup with the warning signal for the GT Rigging Race Day 2 scheduled for 13:00.