This Volvo 60 was formerly one of two Merit Cups that trained for the 1997 – 98 Whitbread Round the World Race, but in the end, did not take part. This boat is half of the two boat campaign for the next Volvo Ocean Race (race boat to be launched next April) and the crew views the Telstra Sydney to Hobart race as an integral part of their pre-Volvo race training program. The team will include Steve Cotton, a two-time Whitbread winner and Australian international sailor Alby Pratt.