Merit Sets Sail With Major Sponsor Navigator

by Fiona McQueen on 21 Dec 2002 Merit skipper Ian Treleaven today announced he has signed a major sponsorship deal with leading financial services group – Navigator.

The 19.3 metre Volvo 60 maxi will set sail under the new name of Merit Navigator at next week’s annual Sydney-to-Hobart Yacht Race.

Earlier this year, the yacht took line honours in the Gosford-to-Lord Howe Island race, smashing the previous race record by more than seven hours.

She also finished in the top three over the line in the annual Sydney to Gold Coast race.

Following its handicap win in the Canon Big Boat Challenge this month, Merit Navigator is expected to finish strongly in the Sydney-to-Hobart race, which starts on Boxing Day,.

Navigator’s sponsorship of Merit Navigator covers the Sydney-to-Hobart race and the inaugural Navigator Dash racing challenge in early January between Devonport and Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay.

Commenting on the sponsorship agreement, Merit Navigator skipper Ian Treleaven said:

“We are very proud to have the Navigator name behind us for the upcoming Sydney-to-Hobart and Navigator Dash races, and look forward to a strong and successful ongoing relationship.”

Equally pleased with the newly formed partnership, Navigator CEO Rob Garnsworthy said that he was delighted to form this alliance with the Merit team:

“Ian Treleaven has had a long list of achievements with Merit and throughout his impressive racing career. We feel that this partnership is a natural alliance. Navigator is a leading financial services company, with lots of successes in its industry, and likewise Merit has achieved strong results in the field of yacht racing. So together, we are definitely a winning combination,” he said.

The Navigator group, with $8 billion in funds under management, is committed to excellence in financial services.

As a part of Norwich Union Australia, Navigator has a strong history in promoting excellence in sport – it was the creator of the Norwich Rising Star award in AFL – a commitment to innovation which it now intends to bring to the world of yachting with sponsorship of both the Navigator Dash yacht race and Merit Navigator.