WEYMOUTH Rowing Club will have three boats at this year’s World Pilot Gig Championships, which start today on the Isles of Scilly.

Forty rowers are set to compete for Weymouth aboard Tristan, Isolde and Penny during the 25th edition of the world championships, which look like being the biggest ever.

The club will have men’s and ladies’ A, B and C teams in the main event, with a men’s super veterans (over-50), men’s veterans (over-40) and two ladies’ veteran teams rowing today.

The veterans’ races are on a straight course of 1.9 miles, rowing from St Agnes back to St Mary’s.

It is predicted that there will be 70 boats and crews taking part.

The main event starts early tomorrow with a ranking race, with all boats going in a straight line from St Agnes to St Mary’s.

This year there will be 147 gig rowing boats starting together on a start line more than half-a-mile wide.

The result of this event will then dictate the make up of the groups for the races that follow.

There is also a group race tomorrow afternoon covering 1.4 miles from a small islet called Nut Rock to St Mary’s and back.

And a further two races take place on Sunday when the overall winner is crowned.

Weymouth have been training hard for these championships since October and everyone at the club is eagerly awaiting the racing that lies ahead.

The club have a racing kit provided by local sponsors and the generous shoppers at the town’s Asda store.

Weymouth are hoping their new attire will help them to achieve their best ever finishing positions.