Round the Island Race - Sigma 38 class largest GBR one design entry

by Susie Rainger on 29 Jun 2012 J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2012, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight which gets underway on Saturday 30th June. It's official; the perennial Sigma 38 Class is the largest British one design entry in the race.

Bright and early Saturday morning 24 Sigma 38 teams, 22 in IRC Division 2C and two in IRCRS Division 4C, will be making their way to the start line. Into it's second decade the Sigma 38 is the envy of many more modern one designs. Close, exciting tussles are well renowned within this fleet and the 50 nautical mile course will give plenty of opportunities. Last year’s winners, With Alacrity are hoping for a repeat of their fast circumnavigation of just over seven hours but they will have to contend with other crews who are busy studying GPS tracks, tidal streams and weather data.

As has become traditional this competitive but social class makes a whole weekend of the event. Saturday evening sees the famous pontoon party where all crews are invited for a few drinks and the chance to re-live the excitement of the race course. On Sunday the Royal London Yacht Club hosts a special One Design Regatta of three short round the can races. The Class, which has a strong commitment to training, specifically uses this event as an opportunity to develop racing skills. It’s ideal for newer boats that want to try out close quarter in shore racing and for more practiced boats to hone skills and swap crew roles.

The Royal London Yacht Club generously awards the Mary Baxter Salver to the winner of this no discard series. The entire weekend promises to be an outstanding exhibition of possibly the most successful British one design class Sigma 38 Class Association Round the Island Race website