The Yachts

Merit

Merit

 

This former Volvo 60 round-the-world racing yacht has contested many offshore races since coming to Australia, sailing under various names, including Telcoinabox Merit, News Corp and Line 7.  Merit set a record for the then 408 nm Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race in 2002 (the race distance has since been extended slightly).  The crew heading down to Hobart this year are the victorious crew from last year’s race when Merit placed first in her division and first overall in PHS, after coming to the aid and rescuing crew members from Georgia.

Link here to on-board race vision from Rapture:

Merit - Pre-start maneouvres

Merit - the first afternoon

Merit - more from the first afternoon

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name Merit
Sail Number 8679
Owner Leo Rodriguez / Ian Bishop
Skipper Leo Rodriguez (1)
Crew D Watson (12), B Wells (4), E Haagh (4), C Mathews (1), M Cocks (1), M Crook (1), G Rodriguez (1), M Christiansen (3), A Rau, C Bauman, R Fritjers, O Kahkonen, P Line, G Stephenson, H Latham, J Rowden, R Floate
State QLD
Club WSC
Type Volvo 60
Designer Bruce Farr
Builder Marten Marine
Construction Kevlar
LOA 19.26
Beam 5.25
Draft 3.75