THE Royal Windermere Yacht Club marked the start of its 2019 racing season with a new Race Control Boat named ‘Retriever III’.

The naming ceremony, performed by the Royal Windermere’s Commodore Mrs Clare Houlihan, was held on Saturday 23rd March 2019 following the club’s AGM.

‘Retriever III’ is an Orkney Pilothouse 20 boat, powered by a Suzuki 60HP outboard engine. The boat is the club’s official vessel used by the Race Officer and his/her team to officiate every race. The Race Officer sets each course from the vessel, arranges the start, monitors the race, provides timing information, records results, and finishes the race.

“We are delighted to welcome ‘Retriever III’ to the club and the waters of Windermere,” said Commodore Clare Houlihan.

She added: "All our official race boats have been named ‘Retriever’ since a member and renowned sailor, former Commodore Cubby Acland, loaned his own motorboat (called ‘Retriever’) to the club to use as a committee and rescue boat.

"When he died in the 1970s, he bequeathed the boat to the Club and subsequent official club boats have all been named ‘Retriever’.”

An Orkney Pilothouse 20 is a 20-foot motor boat with a raised weather-proof wheelhouse providing excellent all-around views and plenty of cockpit and cabin space - all of which are important for the Race Officer and his/her colleagues.

The club's racing commences on Thursday 4th April with the first dinghy race of the season. Regular races of the Windermere Class 17 Foot fleet and ‘Flying Fifteens’ also begin on 4th April. All classes will race until September.

Anyone interested in learning to sail, participating in the racing or joining the Royal Windermere Yacht Club should contact the club on 015394 43106 or visit https://www.royal-windermere.co.uk