Coco de Mer emerged as the deserved winner of the 2022 Multihull Cup on Sunday, finally overturning a long-running sequence in the runner-up spot.
The 66′ Morrelli & Melvin designed Gunboat has finished in second place at three of the previous four Multihull Cups, but broke the jinx in some style with a clean sweep of three successive race wins to take the trophy.
Behind them in the final race the 85′ Allegra jumped the start and had to recross the line, and while she rapidly recovered to lead on the water she was again edged into third place, this time by a matter of seconds on corrected time, by R-Six, with the HH66 recording its third successive second place.
Celebrating aboard Coco de Mer back on the dock in Port Adriano tactician Tim Thubron said: ‘We are of course all really pleased as it is our first big win at the Multihull Cup after being runner-up before, and the owner is over the moon.
‘The weather has been a bit tricky at times with light wind but we have got three good races in and I think we did enough to show we deserved it. Allegra outclassed us last year, and maybe we turned the tables this time. They always sail well but we felt we had their measure this year,’
And he added: ‘On the shore side Port Adriano has been a great host – it’s a lovely place and the hospitality has been amazing. I imagine we will be back again next year to enjoy more of the same.’
Meanwhile Multihull Cup regulars R-Six, who have been at every one of the Mallorcan events and won the inaugural 2016 edition, were delighted with their second place.
‘We are all happy with the result and we have tried our best,’ said Robert Janecki, helm on the Polish crewed catamaran. ‘It was hard work at times as we are quite heavy and in light winds it can be difficult.
‘But we like the venue, and the really good regatta atmosphere feels like home. It is also a privilege to race against such good sailors.’
Though disappointed to finish in third place, the defending champions on the Nigel Irens designed Allegra had also enjoyed the Multihull Cup challenge.
Tactician Paul Larsen said: ‘The racing was really good and it was good for us to be on the backfoot as we had to sail almost perfectly to even have a chance of sailing the boat to its numbers in the conditions we had.
‘The other guys are getting better all the time and sailing really well, and that keeps us on our game. We really enjoyed the windward-leeward courses though we didn’t get great starts, and that’s my fault.
‘At the end of the day we get to race with some really friendly people, and everyone is in with a shot at getting the trophy, so the handicaps can’t be too far apart – so it’s a good one.’
Andy Claughton from the Offshore Racing Congress, who assessed the handicap rating system, also praised the quality of the assembled fleet: ‘The standard of sailing over the last three days has been exceptional with some real talent on display, and the yachts themselves have been very well prepared.’
And speaking after the celebratory prize-giving Event Director Andrea Grimm said: “It has always been a real pleasure to organise the Multihull Cup, not least because it attracts such a wonderful group of sailors.
‘This has been our fifth edition and it is great to see teams returning year after year. Of course none of this would be possible without the hard work of a great team, and the backing of our partners, especially the support provided by our wonderful host, Port Adriano.’
Grimm also highlighted the on-going contributions of Rigging Projects, whose provision of reusable Ocean Bottles and sponsorship of the Clean Waves water station contributed to the Multihull Cup recently receiving Silver Certification from the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta organisation, Save the Med, North Sails and Silent-Yachts, the pioneering builder of solar powered catamarans who provided VIP chase boats during the regatta.
Details of the 2023 Multihull Cup will be announced in due course.
Article written by Phil Riley and Images by @sailingenergy
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