Sigma 38 Nationals at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy

Sigma 38 nationals in Weymouth Bay © Steve Bell / www.fotoboat.com

Sigma 38 nationals in Weymouth Bay © Steve Bell / www.fotoboat.com

The trademark winds of Weymouth and Portland performed for the 2011 Sigma 38 OOD National Championships over the past ‘Royal Wedding’ weekend. The 150 plus yacht racers on site at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy delighted in a 4 race series during big Bay conditions. After fantastically close racing right across the fleet with race positions changing regularly upwind and downwind, the team of Sigma 38, Festina Lente, won by the closest of margins over rival entry, Mefisto.

Overall results were dictated by Saturday’s concentrated race series, due to a boisterous breeze of 30 knots curbing the full race itinerary. The easterly 9 – 17 knots was perfect for the 17 fleet racers during the first day of racing. With hazy sunshine ideal for spectator photography opportunities, tight windward / leeward style courses ensured plenty of boat handling activity for the crews.

Persephone set the early pace leading race 1 straight from the windward mark, chased by Festina and Mefisto. Festina then went onto secure pole position in race 2, with Persephone fighting back to conquer races 3 and 4.

Due to a tough no discard series consistency was the aim of the game and by the end of day one, Festina and Mefisto were tied on 9 points with Festina leading on countback, her bullet in race 2 just giving her the edge. Persephone had to count a 7th taking her down to third place with 10 points overall and newcomer Nuance came in a very credible 4th place with an 11 point difference from the 3rd place podium position.

Sunday saw a classic endurance passage race along Dorset’s Jurassic coast with gusts over 30 knots creating challenging but exhilarating conditions for the sturdy Sigmas. Unfortunately, discrepancies in the sailing instructions lead to that race being declared RDG and with racing on Monday abandoned in even higher winds, the results from Saturday’s four races decided the championships.

Nigel Goodhew, Sigma 38 Class Chairman, confirmed a successful National Championships this year and the exemplar yacht racing event facilities provided at the 2012 sailing venue.

‘I would like to thank the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy as well as the on water team headed up by Frank Newton. The Academy and race organisation was the ideal mix for such a strong community feel National Championships that would surpass any international class to date. We are looking forward to frequenting this established big fleet yacht racing venue for future Sigma 38 regattas’.

For further information on the Sigma Class Association please contact Paul Fenner, email or call 07904 311653.

Overall Results: