25th Anniversary Sigma 38 National Championships

25th Anniversary Sigma 38 Nationals in Lymington © Paul Wyeth / www.pwpictures.com

25th Anniversary Sigma 38 Nationals in Lymington © Paul Wyeth / www.pwpictures.com

Mefisto wins!

25 years old and Sigma 38 racing continues to enthral

Kevin Suchmilch's Mefisto has won the 25th Anniversary Sigma 38 National Championships. Kevin and his crew are thrilled with this second hard fought Nationals win. Mefisto had previously won ten years ago in 2003. Despite 2 days of light wind all races of this 3 day regatta were completed with Mefisto, in impressive style taking bullets in 4 of the 7 races.

The young team of mainly under 25 year olds on Gambit skippered by Tim Goodhew, 23, finished second with a strong performance of one first, two seconds and no finish below 4th. This is a major triumph for Tim who has raced the family Sigma 38 since he was a teenager as it was his first campaign running the boat. Hannah Diamond, 23, another Sigma 38 "baby" gave tactical insight having just finished 4th at the Hyeres World Cup. She and her teammate on the new Nacra catamarans have been described by Sir Ben Ainslie as "...definitely ones to watch and I look forward to their progress in the Olympic sailing arena."

Although With Alacrity didn't actually win a race this popular team took 3rd overall. The 2012 and 5 previous National Championships winners Festina Lente, despite having the second highest number of first were penalised by their 6th position in the double point scoring, non discardable Coastal race and hence finished 4th overall.

The 25th Anniversary Championships have, one again, demonstrated that the Sigma 38 Class is thriving with close, competitive one design racing that attracts seasoned competitors as well as young future champions.

As always all crews fully enjoyed themselves off the water with different events every evening. These would not have been possible without the generous support of overall regatta sponsor Yachting Sports, who have been delivering the highest quality of yachting maintenance to their customer for approximately 25 years. The Class also benefitted from race prizes supplied by One Sails, RS Divers and Southern Ropes. Event and race management by Royal Lymington Yacht Club was, once again, outstanding. The club and the sponsors are thanked for their professionalism and support.

The 25th celebrations continue with the David Thomas Regatta on the 2nd June hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club who are inviting other David Thomas designed boats to race and celebrate probably his most successful design, the Sigma 38.

Overall Results: