Maserati Multi70 continues her westward gallop in the RORC Transatlantic Race at a speed of 19.2 knots (as of 17:00 GMT), having hooked the low pressure system that formed over the North Atlantic. The latter also helped her slash – in the last 24 hours – 100 nautical miles off the distance to her American rival Phaedo3 which sails at a speed of 20.7 knots and has a 310 mile lead on the straight-line route to Grenada.
The weather picture in the North Atlantic remains unusual for the time of year: the Trade Winds have yet to become established with a definite flow, and a low-pressure system associated with a very extensive front is hanging over the route, which the two trimarans are now tackling. Soldini commented as follows: «We are inside the flow from the depression on its north-easterly side. We need to cross over to its westerly side. We’re hoping we won’t get stuck in the dead calm at its centre. Once we’re across, we’ll finally be able to hook the Trade Winds or at least a high pressure wind that will stay with us all the way to the finish».
Maserati Multi70 (as of 17:00 GMT) is less than 2000 miles from the arrival, lying 1952 miles from the final finish-line.
Aboard, the crew are doing everything they can to gain precious miles and all is well, as Soldini confirmed: «We gybed from a port tack and we’re now heading for the centre of the depression. Our goal is to get to the other side and hook the N/NW wind as quickly as possible».
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