Sigma 38 comes of age

14 boats to compete this May bank holiday weekend

The Sigma 38 Offshore One Design Class Association will mark its coming of age this first May bank holiday weekend as 14 of these evergreen one design, battle it out at close quarters for the national championships, under the watchful eye of sponsors Tacktick and race officials from the Royal Solent YC.

Five time’s national winner Festine Lente crewed by the prolific Meakins family, with Commodore’s Cup navigator Mark Heuchan onboard, will clash head on with ex Olympian Andy Budgen (class champion Cowes 2008) onboard Pavlova 3. The 2007 Fastnet class winner Persphone is also expected to be at the forefront, especially in the demanding Friday night offshore race, which has become a traditional feature of the Sigma 38 nationals, now in their 21st year. As well as these notable heavyweights, the current European Sigma 38 champion, Paul Kirwin, is flying in from Cork to take part in what promises to be some memorable one design racing in the Western Solent and Christchurch Bay.

Class Chairman Nigel Goodhew said: “I am delighted with the entry list which reflects a resurgence of interest in these hardy, British designed and built cruiser/racers. Sigma 38’s can and do offer enjoyable and most importantly affordable, one design racing to a wide spectrum of sailors at all levels of experience.”

A full 21st birthday social programme has been arranged over the bank holiday in Yarmouth I of W where the fleet will be based for the duration of the championships