THERE'S bad news for gig clubs this year - Falmouth captain Fergus Muller has declared that his all-conquering men's crew is stronger than ever.

Preparations are in full swing for the World Championships on the Isles of Scilly next month and Muller is confident that they can win it for a seventh successive year.

He said: "On paper we're stronger than last year, with Matt Pullen returning after a year off and new recruit Ross Trebilcock bringing a new level of power to the crew.

"Training is going well and we have a very good squad, with lots of people vying for places,"

Falmouth's top team have won for six years in a row but their strength in depth was underlined at the Mini Scillies event at Helford on Sunday, in which their three crews finished first, second and seventh of the 15 competing men's teams.

The regatta was the first race of the season for the newly formed ladies' A and B crews, who finished fourth and tenth respectively.

Falmouth's ladies' A crew were virtually untouchable between 2004 and 2014, during which they won the world title ten times in 11 years.

"After 2014 the winning crew just seemed to disappear, with some returning to the other clubs and others just stopping altogether," said Fergus.

"We're delighted that we're now building a strong squad again and our three or four year plan looks to be paying off. New members have joined us and we have high hopes for them on Scilly."

The first races of the day at Helford were the men's veterans and super veterans. Both were won by Falmouth crews and the super vets will be aiming to win on Scilly for the third year in a row.

Falmouth Gig Club will take a total of ten teams to the World Championships - four men's crews, three ladies' teams, men's and ladies' super vets and a men's veterans.

The event takes place from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30.