Shirley Robertson will skipper the Farr 45 ‘John Merricks’ at the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series in Tarbert (27-30 May). She will be joined on board by ‘Hugo Boss’ skipper Alex Thomson and members of the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme.

They will have stiff opposition from two other Farr 45s racing in class IRC 1; ‘Wolf’ owned by Glynn Williams, and ‘Atomic’ renamed ‘Struan’ for the regatta. ‘Struan’ will give the added competition of Shirley Robertson’s husband Jamie Boag racing on board.

The Farr 45 ‘John Merricks’ was recently donated to the John Merricks Sailing Trust by David McLean. The trustees have in turn decided to loan the boat to the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme for the next two years, which will in turn enable the squad to extend their knowledge of both inshore and offshore racing.

Shirley Robertson, along with coaches from the RYA, will carry out a coaching clinic on Thursday 26 May in Tarbert. All boats competing at the Bell Lawrie Scottish are eligible to attend the free clinic starting at 1030.

Each evening, members of the Volvo RYA Keelboat Programme will compete in a match race competition aboard the RYA J/80s, with guest helmsmen bought onboard each night.

‘John Merricks’ Farr 45 crew list

Helmsman Shirley Robertson Team Volvo for Life

Tactics Paul Campbell-James Volvo RYA Keelboat Squad

Mainsheet Scott Gray Volvo RYA Keelboat Squad

Trim 1 Helen Brown Volvo RYA Keelboat Squad

Trim 2 Ed Hill Volvo RYA Keelboat Squad

Trim 3 Alex Thomson Team Volvo for Life

Pit/Navigator Luke McCarthy Volvo RYA Keelboat Squad

Bow Connor Myant