Garmin Hamble Winter Series showcases Sigma 38 racing

Garmin Hamble Winter Series week 8 © Paul Wyeth / www.pwpictures.com

Not only has the Sigma 38 fleet been the largest participating one design class in the prestigious Hamble Winter Series but has surely also witnessed the closest racing. In the last race of the series almost every single competitor could have claimed to have held the lead at least once. Finally after agonizingly close racing, as often happens with this class, all boats finished within 5 minutes of one another. All the action was captured perfectly by international marine photographer, Paul Wyeth.

Following on from their supremely successful Cowes Week Kevin Sussmilch's Mefisto has won overall. They have had an outstanding series and their tactical ability has been the envy of the fleet. Kevin Sussmilch who has owned Mefisto for 21 years reflects "I've hugely enjoyed this series and cannot think of a more competitive and fun class to race in." Rob Lee, with friends and family on Kindred Spirit, despite not actually winning a race, has been consistently on the podium and it was enough to secure second place. Chris and Vanessa Choules' With Alacrity managed a win and finished third overall. However the huge future promise in this one design class is the performance of the newcomers. Andrew and Anna Gordon's Pandanova in their second season and Nick Woolven's Rho in his first season both won races overcoming the tough competition of the more experienced crews.

So as the entire season draws to a close it's more than encouraging to reflect on a class that will celebrate its 25th Anniversary next year – Sigma 38s are consistently one of the biggest participating one design fleets that always guarantees nail bitingly close, exciting racing and constantly sees new crews challenging previous winners.

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