Merit

 

This former Volvo 60 round-the-world yacht first sailed to Hobart as Newscorp in 2000, was purchased by Ian Treleaven and renamed Line 7 and Merit and competed in the 2001 and 2002 Hobart Races and Gosford-Lord Howe Island races, breaking the record in 2002. Current Yachting Australia president, David Gotze from Melbourne was her next owner and competed in the 2004 Hobart and raced locally. Leo Rodriguez acquired the yacht from Gotze and has held on to her, racing the Hobart in all races since 2008, under the names Merit and Telcoinbox Merit. Going to the aid of Georgia crew members when their boat sank, Rodriguez still won his PHS division in 2008. Last year Merit was 11th on line and 13th overall in PHS. Like all the VOR60's, she was built for reaching and downwind conditions, which is what she'll need to succeed.

Competitor Details

Yacht Name	Merit
Sail Number	8679
Owner	Leo Rodriguez / Ian Bishop
Skipper	Leo Rodriguez (4)/ Bryan Bailie (2)
Navigator	Dave Watson (15)
Crew	B Wells (3), C Bauman (3), C Mathews (4), D Clarke, D Brushweiler, J Fairley, M Cubit (1), M Cocks (5), M Crook (3), M Hand, P Krekelberg, P Dobrich
State	QLD
Club	WSC
Type	Volvo 60
Designer	Bruce Farr
Builder	Marten Marine
Construction	Kevlar
LOA	19.26
Beam	5.25
Draft	3.75