Multihull Championship - Florida USA

Gulfport Yacht Club, Florida - After several days of intense racing on Capricorn F18s, Nigel Pitt and Alex Shafer won the U.S. Multihull Championship, which wrapped up in Gulfport, Florida this weekend.

The newly crowned champions jumped into the lead on day three of the regatta, but the lead was never comfortable enough until they secured the title on the final day of racing. Last year's champions, John Casey and John Williams finished second overall, just two points behind the winners. And just three points further down were John Tomko and Ian Billings, who rounded out the podium finishers.

For Pitt and Shafer, winning the Championship was a long time coming, after having competed in the event for several years and often finishing in the top three. This time around, midway through the regatta, chances of winning once again looked pretty slim for Pitt and Shafer. The team was in the lead going into day three, but was disqualified in a race after colliding with another boat, which resulted in them moving down to third overall at the end of that day. Their persistence on days four and five paid off, however.

First held in 1987, the U.S. Multihull Championship is sailed annually, each year in a different multihull class at a different venue around the country. This year’s championship was sailed on Capricorn F18s.

For complete results, visit the event website at www.ussailing.org/championships/adult/usmhc.

-- Final Results on F18's at the U.S. Multihull Championship --
Place - Skipper/Crew - Total Points

• 1 - Nigel Pitt and Alex Shafer - 27
• 2 - John Casey and John Williams - 29
• 3 - John Tomko and Ian Billings - 32

Photographs sent in by Chris Zander, nice shots Chris!