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

Name Telcoinabox Merit Race name Merit Launch year 1997 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 Club WSC State QLD Type Volvo 60 Designer Bruce Farr Builder Marten Marine Construction Kevlar LOA 19.26 Beam 5.25 Draft 3.75