Day 4 Highlights of the 2025 St. Maarten Caribbean Multihull Challenge
| Final Day Marks the Conclusion of the Challenge |
| Perfect Weather Conditions: Mix of showers, gusts, and calms |
| Rally Division: Successfully Returned to St. Maarten |
| Some spinnakers jammed but spirits remained high |
| Time Trial™ Enhanced Racing Instincts |
| CSA Race: LAYLA Finished with Top Speed |
| Crew Celebrated with Champagne |
| Diam24: ANOMALY Dominates the Day |
| Unfortunate leak on Diam24 KARIBUNI |
The thrilling finale of the 2025 St. Maarten Caribbean Multihull Challenge delivered a spectacular showdown on its fourth day. With an eclectic mix of competitors ranging from top-tier racers to leisurely rally participants, the event showcased an invigorating blend of strategy, skill, and sheer determination. Enthusiasts were captivated by the vivid display of colorful sails converging at Simpson Bay, as both seasoned multihull sailors and passionate newcomers faced captivating weather conditions. An exhilarating sense of camaraderie and competition filled the air, highlighting the charm and challenge of this annual celebration in the stunning Caribbean backdrop.
The last day of the 2025 St. Maarten Caribbean Multihull Challenge was a thrilling conclusion to an event filled with competitive spirit, challenging weather conditions, and diverse sailing talent. With participants from different divisions including the Rally Division, CSA Race, and Diam24, the fourth day brought excitement and surprises as sailors crossed the finish line and celebrated their efforts.
Rally Division: License to Chill
On the third day, sailors faced quite the challenge as they navigated away from Anse Marcel to confront a 10-foot swell in the northeastern corner. Sailing upwind towards St Barth wasn't easy, but those who ventured were rewarded with a memorable beach party. Sunday was much calmer, and the fleet enjoyed a smooth downwind session back to St Maarten. With spinnakers flying or jamming, the Time Trial™ system saw sailors unleashing their need for speed, defying any constraints just for the thrill of it. After experiencing the bliss of Caribbean beaches, everyone returned safely, ready to share their stories with eager listeners.
CSA Race: Expert Hands on the Helm
The presence of a flybridge equipped multihull among the competitors sparked lively discussions from day one. The skepticism shifted to admiration when it became clear that this unique vessel could perform exceptionally, reaching podium positions. The Gunboat 72 LAYLA, a striking catamaran, turned heads and was handled with finesse by celebrity helmsman Brian Thompson. With speeds peaking at 24.2 knots, this two-story marvel left other competitors in its wake. Sunday saw them pop Champagne bottles in celebration as they topped the scoreboard.
Diam24: Let the Sails Talk
Sailing isn't always smooth, as evidenced by the troubles faced by the crew of Diam24 KARIBUNI. With water seeping into the boat, the crew had no choice but to withdraw from racing on the final day. Towed towards Kim Sha Beach, they worked on bailing water but couldn't identify the cause of the leak. Meanwhile, other Diam24 teams battled fiercely, completing multiple races upwind and downwind around Simpson Bay. In a strategic move, the race committee reversed the final course, ensuring a safe path to victory for all participants. ANOMALY dominated the day, leaving no opportunity for challengers to catch up.
| Category | Highlights |
| Overall Conditions | Mix of showers, stormy gusts, and calm. |
| Rally Division | Smooth downwind sailing to St Maarten. |
| CSA Racers | Expert helmsmen showcased their skills. |
| Diam24 Class | Intense racing with some boats experiencing issues. |
| Spectacle | Colorful sails filled Simpson Bay. |
| Performance | Gunboat 72 Layla impressed with top speeds. |
| Incidents | Diam24 Karibuni struggled with a leak. |
| Celebrations | Prize-giving ceremony awaited by participants. |
| Records | LAYLA reached an impressive 24.2 knots. |
| Conclusion | Ready to relax and share stories post-race. |
- Sailing Divisions:
- All divisions racing towards finish lines
- Adaptability and resilience tested in surprising weather conditions
- Colorful sails filled Simpson Bay
- All divisions racing towards finish lines
- Adaptability and resilience tested in surprising weather conditions
- Colorful sails filled Simpson Bay
- Exciting Moments:
- CSA Race: LAYLA finishes on the podium, impressing all
- Rally Division: An adventure through high seas and beach parties
- Diam24: Unfortunate water intrusion for KARIBUNI
- CSA Race: LAYLA finishes on the podium, impressing all
- Rally Division: An adventure through high seas and beach parties
- Diam24: Unfortunate water intrusion for KARIBUNI
- All divisions racing towards finish lines
- Adaptability and resilience tested in surprising weather conditions
- Colorful sails filled Simpson Bay
- CSA Race: LAYLA finishes on the podium, impressing all
- Rally Division: An adventure through high seas and beach parties
- Diam24: Unfortunate water intrusion for KARIBUNI