Allegra Makes Multihull Cup History on North Sails Race Day
Adrian Keller’s Allegra has won the 2026 Multihull Cup, making history on the final day of the 10th anniversary edition in Mallorca.
Victory gives Keller and Allegra a record fourth Multihull Cup title and makes them the first team in the event’s history to successfully defend the trophy. The Irens 78 finished the regatta with three race wins to secure the overall title ahead of Zachary Plavsic’s Morelli & Melvin 65 Gaea, with Irvine Laidlaw’s VPLP Custom 80 Highland Fling XVIII third.
The final day began with everything still to play for. Allegra went into North Sails Race Day leading overall by four points, while Highland Fling XVIII and Gaea were tied for second, four points behind.
The intention was to run two windward-leeward races at the entrance to the Bay of Palma, but once again Mallorca made the fleet wait.
One Race to Decide It
With the race committee holding for a reliable sailing breeze, the start was delayed before conditions finally settled sufficiently for Race 4 of the Multihull Cup 2026.
The course was a tight windward-leeward of just over four miles, with 7–8.5 knots initially from the south. During the race the breeze backed towards the east, adding another tactical ingredient to a contest that would last around one hour.
It proved to be the only race of the day—and the race that would decide the Multihull Cup
From the start there was no shortage of intent. The fleet hit the line together in a blanket start, with every team fighting for clear air and looking for an early advantage.
On the water, Highland Fling XVIII showed her pace and was provisionally first. However, following a protest by Gaea, Highland Fling XVIII was disqualified from the race.
After ORCmh time correction, Allegra was declared the winner, giving Adrian Keller’s team their third victory of the regatta. It was incredibly close behind. Gaea took second place, just 13 seconds behind Allegra on corrected time, while the Gunboat 72 Layla completed the podium, 80 seconds behind the winner after time correction.
The result brought racing at the 2026 Multihull Cup to a close and confirmed Allegra as overall champion.
Behind the winner, the battle for the remaining podium places went right to the wire. Gaea secured second overall, just one point ahead of Highland Fling XVIII in third.
North Sails Race Day
Quinny Houry, Director of the North Sails Palma loft, had been racing aboard Gaea and presented the prizes for North Sails Race Day.
“It’s always a pleasure to come to the Multihull Cup,” commented Quinny. “The competition is challenging, and that’s part of what makes this event so enjoyable. A big thank-you to Adrian Keller for the time and care he’s put into building this event, and to the race committee for making sure we got a race in today.
“Racing multihulls is tremendous fun: there’s a speed and excitement you just don’t find in many other boats. It’s a special part of the experience, and one of the reasons we love coming back.
“We were delighted to present the North Sails Prize to Allegra. We also want to recognise the great relationship we share with all the competitors. We discuss sail performance with one another, support each other, and everyone benefits from that partnership. It’s a positive relationship that’s been with us almost from the beginning, and we truly appreciate it.”
Four Titles for Allegra
With racing completed, attention turned back to Porto Adriano for the Multihull Cup Prize Giving and the celebration of three memorable days on the water.
Allegra racing skipper Paul Larsen lifted the Multihull Cup for Adrian Keller’s team to huge applause from the assembled owners and crews.
It was a landmark moment for a boat and owner with a remarkable association with the event. Keller was instrumental in establishing the Multihull Cup a decade ago, and Allegra has now won the trophy four times. By following last year’s victory with another title in 2026, Keller’s team also became the first in Multihull Cup history to successfully defend the overall crown.
Every competing boat received a memento of the 10th anniversary edition, recognising a fleet that ranged from established Multihull Cup campaigners to teams experiencing the event—and in some cases regatta racing itself—for the first time.
That mixture has been a defining feature of the 2026 edition. On the water the competition has been intense, with vastly different designs brought together under ORCmh and producing some exceptionally close corrected-time racing. Ashore, the atmosphere has remained unmistakably Multihull Cup: relaxed, friendly and good-humoured, with owners and crews sharing the dock, the prize-givings and the social programme together.
And there was still one more gathering to come.
In true Multihull Cup spirit, Gaea owner Zachary Plavsic invited the entire Multihull Cup family back to the team villa for sundowners and entertainment—a fitting way to celebrate the end of a competitive, stylish and hugely enjoyable 10th anniversary regatta.
After three days of racing off Mallorca, the trophies have been decided. But for the owners and crews who make up this close-knit community, the final evening was also another chance to celebrate what has kept them coming back to Porto Adriano.
