West Sussex crew move fast to net success in famous race

Brian and Susaane Skeet from Selsey led a crew of nine on board their Sigma 38, called Marta, to second place in their class in the 600-mile Cowes-Ireland-Plymouth race.

Susanne said: “We had an amazing experience and completed the race in four days, 12 hours and 28 minutes.

“We came fifth in the IRC 4A class and were the second Sigma 38 to cross the finish.

“We’d like to show our appreciation to our fantastic crew, without whom we wouldn’t have achieved such a brilliant result.”

Susanne also thanked two local businesses – Langmeads Farms for sponsorship and Top Stitch for supplying the crew’s clothing.

Brian has owned Marta for five years and has taken part in races in the Solent and across the Channel. He competed in the 2007 Fastnet, but this was his first time in the race with his own crew including his wife.

The rest of the crew were Tangmere’s Will Barker, Colin Pullenger, a lifeboatman from Selsey, Pete Prior from Newton Abbot, Amanda Lambert of Winchester, Duncan Marston from Colworth and Mike Kerridge and Simon Brock, both from Southsea.