Yachtsman Jim Mertz had to do a lot more to take part in the this year's Newport-Bermuda Race than he did when he first entered the historic event.

He has to take seven pills a day, and five doctors must check him before he takes part.

But then Captain Mertz is 90 years old - and he been in all 29 races since he first took part in the Race as a sprightly 24-year-old in 1936.

Yesterday, he said: "I have no plans to stop. I'll do this as long as I can."

Mr. Mertz has five doctors ensuring he is physically able to participate, and has to take seven pills a day to remain healthy. One of his doctors recently expressed concerns about him taking part. However, his lead doctor told him: "Keep going. Do it." So Mr. Mertz did.

And he did not do badly, as the yacht he co-owns and captains, Allegra, finished fifth out of 14 entries in the Class 11 American Division.

Mr. Mertz grew up around boats. His grandfather joined the American Yacht Club back in 1890, while his first cousin owned boats.

He was originally introduced to the race by his friend, Hobert Ford. Mr. Ford was one of the founders of the race, and took him on his schooner, Jane Doere.

Sixty-six years later, Mr. Mertz keeps coming back. He said that he did not know why this particular race appealed to him so much. He stated: "It's just a desire I guess."

He added: "I don't have much interest in many other (races). All my friends from my generation are dead now, so I stick with what I know and what I like."

Not only a yachting veteran, Mr. Mertz was also a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy during the Second World War.

From November 1943 until September 1945, he was the commanding officer of the Destroyer Escort. His crew was stationed in Pearl Harbour and was preparing to take part in the planned invasion of Japan when the war ended.

Earlier in the war, he had undertaken five weeks of training out in Bermuda's Great Sound. On his first experience in Bermuda, he said: "I was smelly. Five weeks and only one shower! That's about all."

During his navy service, he made a total of 13 round trips across the Atlantic escorting convoys. He travelled from the US to the Mediterranean three times, and ten times to Britain.

In 1948, the veteran began a roofing slate company in Vermont. The company sold nationally for 48 years.

"But I'm retired now, except for my sailing of course," he said.

Mr. Mertz has also been in six Marion-Bermuda Races.