Falmouth Ladies team celebrate their 2008 win

More than 100 teams will compete at the 2009 World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isles of Scilly over the weekend.

Last year's men's winners Mounts Bay will be looking to retain their title but will face tough competition from 12-times champions Caradon.

Crews from Roseland, Par Bay and Falmouth will also by expected to challenge for the title.

Meanwhile ladies' holders Falmouth will face strong competition from Roseland, Mounts Bay, Caradon and Charlestown.

In the veteran's race both the Falmouth ladies' crew and the Caradon men's crew will be hoping to retain their titles from last year.

Flushing and Mylor Pilot Gig Club are entering a super vets crew in the men's race, in 2008 the average age of the crew was just over 67 years old.

As well as gig rowing there is also the Pilot Widows sailing race, where the gigs are sailed rather than rowed.

This year's championships get underway at 1830 BST on Friday beginning with the ladies' veterans race.

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