History
US Sailing began holding its annual Multihull Championship in 1987. The championship is raced in selected one-design class boats. The trophy is named for Hobie Alter Sr., designer of the Hobie Cat and a promoter of multi-hull racing
Of the twenty entrants, ten are selected through area eliminations, racing catamarans under 22.5 in length. In addition, there are two representatives from the Hobie Class Association; two from classes manufactured by Performance Catamaran; one from a double-handed or single-handed class, as determined by the Alter Cup Committee; one from the Olympic multihull class; three teams selected by the committee from open petition; and the returning Alter Cup champion.
The regatta is partially supported by the Hoyt-Jolley Foundation.