THE Whitsundays’ two representatives in this year’s Sydney to Hobart ocean race, Merit and Another Fiasco, were farewelled by family and friends as their respective delivery crews set sail from Abel Point marina on the weekend.

With such a long stretch of coastline to negotiate before reaching the Boxing Day start line, both boats have allowed some room for error by leaving in early December.

The Whitsunday Sailing Club’s Telcoinabox Merit was first to go, departing on Saturday at about 2.30pm after a final week of preparations that included a fundraiser at Waterline on Shingley and a club send off after the twilight sailing presentations last Wednesday.

The club presented Merit’s skipper, Leo Rodriguez, with 18 club vests (one for each member of the team), a cheque for $1200 and the club’s large burgee, which will be flown with pride in the marina at the Sydney Cruising Yacht Club.

This is Merit and Rodriguez’s second Sydney to Hobart race, and they are hoping to be able to complete it without incident.

Last year, the boat and crew turned back to rescue those onboard Georgia, which had lost its rudder.

Although the crew would not hesitate to do the same again, they would like to race down with their fleet.

The members of the Sailing Club will be watching their progress via the Rolex web site and the boat tracker and wish the guys a safe trip.

Rodriguez chose to allow six of his race crew to handle the delivery and plans to join them, along with three other crew members, in Southport by this weekend.

The other eight crew members will meet the boat in Sydney where crew training will take place, starting on December 16.

“I’d just like to thank the whole community for getting behind us,” Rodriguez said.

“Everyone’s been really great, particularly in providing us something for nothing.”

Another Fiasco gave Telcoinabox Merit a one day head start with skipper Damian Suckling in a confident mood on their departure.

“The boat’s really good and the whole crew’s pretty excited to get down to Sydney for the race,” he said.

Another Fiasco is entered in Australia’s most prestigious yacht race for the third time.