This year’s 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.