Sigma 38 class celebrates 21st birthday

This year’s JPMorgan Round the Island race will see the Sigma 38 Offshore One Design Class Association coming of age with post-race birthday celebrations at the Max Aitken Museum in Cowes. As well as the designer David Thomas, distinguished luminaries from the world of international yacht racing are expected to attend and join in a series of fun events over the weekend to mark the occasion.

In the early 1990’s 50 Sigma 38s came to the starting line for this famous race which has consistently seen the marque featuring in the winners’ results. This year the Association still expects to hold the accolade for the largest one design fleet with a number of overseas competitors swelling the ranks.

Despite their age, Sigma 38s are the current IRC 3 champions in the hotly contested Hamble Winter Series. Further afield, they list recent regatta successes as far as Iceland, the Red Sea and Antigua. But it is the appeal of true One Design racing in a tough go anywhere boat that is the essence of the Class Association’s longevity and accounts for the genuine affection which so many sailors hold for these hardy British built yachts.

“Over the years I’ve raced and cruised a whole variety of boats”, says former Yachtmaster of the Year, Philip Meakins, whose Sigma 38 Festina Lente has earned the Meakins family an impressive array of silverware. “Our Sigma 38 has certainly been the most rewarding boat to sail. She’s virtually bullet proof and the one design racing and rallies through the Class Association have added loads more excitement and fun.”

Today, Sigma 38s still shine on the inshore racing circuit, but it’s when the going gets tough that Sigmas really prove their pedigree, as in the 2007 Fastnet, when family crewed Sigma 38s took second and fifth place amongst a total of only 8 finishers in a class that originally saw 60 boats cross the starting line.

This long legged pace and sea kindly performance benefits cruisers too and the Sigma 38 has round-the-world-voyages to her credit plus frequent Atlantic crossing – some with just husband and wife crews.

“Since buying our 38 we’ve really appreciated the benefits of an active Class Association”, says 22 year old Maddie Fenner, a Sigma Skipper who races the family boat Gallant two handed as well as enjoying family cruising. “Even if you’re miles away sailing abroad you can still get in contact through the Association and sort out technical problems or get knowledgeable help with the boat, which is a great help and comfort.”