Intro:

The Prince of Wales christened an Olympic sailing boat as he made a surprise visit to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Tuesday.

Script:

There was a very important visitor to the sailing venue for the 2012 Olympics on Tuesday.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales dropped in on the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, three hours from central London.

The chief executive of the academy, John Tweed, and the chairman, Edward Leask, greeted the Prince before he spoke with a host of Britain's finest sailors, including three-time Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie.

He also met representatives from Australia and Canada.

Ainslie said the surprise visit was a real boost for team morale.

SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Ainslie, Team GB sailor:

"Oh, I think it's great for everyone involved to have Prince Charles down here at Weymouth and Portland at the Sailing Academy, supporting the team. So close to the Olympics it's great to have someone of his stature here giving us that little bit of support."

Q. And what did he have to say?

"Well, he was very charming as always and asking a lot of questions about the different boats, about the team, about the set-up here in Weymouth and Portland... just generally very interested about that and the build up to the Olympics, and, of course, wishing us all the best."

During his surprise appearance, Charles was asked to christen the boat of Stevie Morrison and Ben Rhodes - British hopefuls in the 49er class.

Pouring a bottle of ale over the white sailing boat, The Prince named her "Lovely Rita".