Sigma 38 Class - the epitome of Fastnet Corinthian Spirit
by Susan Rainger 8 Aug 2013 08:39 BST
11 August 2013
Racing during the Sigma 38 nationals in Lymington © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
Sigma 38's historic role recognised
The Sigma 38 Class Association is delighted to announce that in its 25th Anniversary year the class will field one of the biggest one design entries in the 2013 Rolex Fastnet race. A fitting tribute to this British yacht specifically designed by David Thomas in the 1980s to handle tough offshore conditions in response to the tragic Fastnet of 1979 where force 10 gales decimated the fleet. Developed as a racer/cruiser the Sigma 38 has more than demonstrated her staying power and versatility both as a tough offshore racer as well as a highly competitive round the cans contender. Consistently one of the biggest one design entrants in regattas the Sigma 38 has become a British classic.
The close, competitive action of these one design yachts on the 2013 Rolex Fastnet race course will undoubtedly be a pleasure, if a somewhat nail biting one, to follow. The 13 Sigma 38s entered in the Fastnet have already proved they are more than capable of winning. Kevin Sussmilch's Mefisto is currently first in the RORC 2013 Championship in a field of 89 entrants and Chris and Vanessa Choules' With Alacrity, a very close second, frequently finishing within a boat length. The two double handed, father and son pairings, Peter and James Diamond on Rapscallion and Nigel and Tim Goodhew on Persephone will be taking on the fully crewed teams. Light conditions may award them an advantage. The Sigma 38 Fastnet fleet attracts participants from around the UK and its international neighbours. Christophe Declercq's Jedi from Belgium and David Gibbon's Joker from Ireland will be anticipating beating the regularly raced Solent based boats.
The Sigma 38 Class is the epitome of the Corinthian spirit the Fastnet embodies. This class whose primary ethos is to maintain a competitive one design class, demonstrates that you don't need the newest most expensive toys to enjoy exciting, competitive, close quarter racing. Although highly competitive on the water there is huge camaraderie amongst the boats. Crews not participating in this event will be eagerly and, perhaps, wistfully watching the race unfold on the Sigma 38 Facebook page which will post regular position updates, blogs and encouragement. In recognition of the Sigma 38's historic role, RORC will be awarding the Hobo Bowl Fastnet Trophy to the winning Sigma 38 Offshore One Design.
fastnet.rorc.org