Twenty-Eight Teams to Compete for 2023 U.S. Multihull Championship

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PENSACOLA, FL (October 3,2023) – A Class Catamaran sailors from across the US will gather for the U.S. Multihull Championship October 4-8 in Pensacola, Florida, hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club and US Sailing. During the weekend, 28 non-foiling catamarans will take to the line to compete for the Hobie Alter Cup. 

“Pensacola Yacht Club is thrilled to host the 2023 U.S. Multihull Championships for the Alter Cup,” said Susan McKinnon, Regatta Chair. “Multihull sailing has been a very popular sport in northwest Florida since the creation of the Hobie Cat. With our beautiful, sugar white sand beaches and excellent sailing conditions, many sailors have enjoyed the thrill of flying a hull in our waters.” 

The U.S. Multihull Championship is one of several prestigious championships hosted by US Sailing and sailed in selected one-design class boats. The perpetual trophy was presented and named the Alter Cup in 1986 in honor of Hobie Alter, Sr., and his extraordinary promotion of one-design multihull sailing and racing programs. The event is sailed in a different multihull class each year. 

There are several accomplished A Cat sailors on the roster for this year’s championship, both from the foiling and classic divisions of the class.

“We have Bruce Mahoney, Ben Hall, Chris Brown…all top echelon sailors who are vying for the Alter Cup,” said McKinnon in an interview with Sail-World. “It’s anyone’s game! We also have an accomplished foiler in Bob Hodges, who is new to the classic fleet. He may prove to be the dark horse!” 

Bruce Mahoney, of Texas, has been successful in the foiling division of the class, winning the 2021 and 2022 A-Class catamaran North American Championship. Mahoney has also competed in a number of A Cat World Championships, most recently placing 7th at the 2022 Worlds.

Also registered is Randy Smyth, a two-time Olympic Silver medalist in the Tornado and multihull specialist. He is also a five-time Hobie Alter Cup champion, back again this year for his sixth title.

US Sailing would like to thank host Pensacola Yacht Club and sponsor Gill Marine for their support of the U.S. Multihull Championship. 

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