Record / Giovanni Soldini and Maserati's team have entered the trade winds.

We have entered the trade winds – writes Giovanni today at 7am – we are sailing 16-17 knots fast towards the equator, with genoa 1, fore sail and main sail. We are wet from head to toe but happy!”. After nearly 6 days and having sailed 1900 miles, Soldini and Maserati‘s team have finally entered the trade winds.

Credit : Bjoern Kils

“Yesterday we were stuck in a light breeze – explains Giovanni - We knew from the start that we would find this high pressure area before entering the trade winds. Luckily, in the last hours the wind is strengthening and starting from this morning it is 16-17 knots strong. It should remain constant for the next three days. Now we are sailing downwind towards the equator: it will be a complex part of the route. Aboard Maserati we are very happy also because today Guido Broggi caught two small tuna: we ate them in a lemon marinade, they were delicious!”

Maserati left New York on December 31, 2012 aiming to break the New York San Francisco record. The boat must arrive in San Francisco in less than 57 days and 3 hours after the start (time set by Yves Parlier aboard Aquitaine Innovations). They must sail 13.225 miles in less than 57 days, 3 hours and 2 minutes to break the record set by Yves Parlier aboard Aquitaine Innovations.

NEW YORK – SAN FRANCISCO RECORD STORY
The 13225 nautical miles that separate New York from San Francisco via Cape Horn, are an historic route, widely travelled by clippers that were involved in the gold rush starting from the second half of 1800.
After several attempts by many boats, in 1994, Isabelle Autissier aboard Ecureuil Poitou took 62 days and 5 hours. Then, in 1998, Yves Parlier on board Aquitaine Innovations has dropped to 57 days, 3 hours, 2 minutes. This is the reference record for Giovanni Soldini and his crew who will try to beat it aboard the VOR70 Maserati, from the second half of December 2012.
The overall record in the multihull category belongs to Lionel Lemonchois that made the journey in 43 days and 38 minutes aboard Gitana 13 in 2008.

From : Maserati Soldini