Press Release – May 8th
New York – Cape Lizard Record
Giovanni Soldini and Maserati’s team are ready for the challenge in the North Atlantic Ocean
Set off for the New York – Cape Lizard record attempt could be tomorrow at dawn
After a one month long stand-by, Maserati could set sail tomorrow morning at dawn – between 4 and 7 GMT – from the North Cove Marina in New York.
Giovanni Soldini and his team’s goal is to break the New York – Cape Lizard speed record, set in 2003 by Robert Miller’s monohull Mari Cha IV (a 42 meters long maxi schooner) in 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds. Mari Cha IV covered the 2925 miles of the route at an average speed of 18,5 knots.
“The low pressure approaching finally seems to be the right one – explains Giovanni Soldini – This evening we will make the final decision but I hope that the last weather forecasts will be confirmed. At the start we are expecting 25 – 30 knots of southerly winds and some rainstorms, in front of us a cold weather front. From a technical point of view, we should face the most critical conditions between Friday evening and Sunday when we will reach the iceberg’s area, with strong winds and a water temperature of 2,4 degrees celsius. We have been in standby for a long time and are really hoping to set off”.
There have been some changes in Maserati’s crew: French sailors Sebastien Audigane and Ronan Le Goff, Spanish Javier de la Plaza and British Tom Gall have been sent for to replace some members of the team that are currently taking part in some regattas in the Mediterranean.
On board, together with the skipper Giovanni Soldini, are watch leader Brad Van Liew, Javier de la Plaza (helm, pit), Sebastien Audigane (helm, trimmer) Ronan Le Goff (helm,bowman), Guido Broggi (boat captain), Corrado Rossignoli (bowman), Tom Gall (seond bowman).
The record attempt can be followed live on Giovanni Soldini and Maserati’s website (www.maserati.soldini.it ). The site contains news, videos and photos of the crew’ life on board, and provides continuous monitoring of the marine weather conditions, as well as online tracking to check the position and speed of Maserati in real time. Continuous updates are also available on Facebook (through Giovanni Soldini’s official page) and Twitter (@giovannisoldini and Brad Van Liew @TeamLazarus).
The challenge is being sponsored by Maserati as main partner and inspiration for the boat’s name, by the Swiss bank BSI (Generali Group) and by Generali itself as co-sponsor.
MASERATI
Maserati’s support and participation in this major Italian challenge in sport and technology confirms the company’s role as a world ambassador for that level of excellence for which Italy is universally known. Maserati gives zealous expression to that excellence every day in 65 countries worldwide, through successful high-quality cars like the Quattroporte, GranTurismo and GranCabrio. The performance of Maserati cars on the road matches that of Giovanni Soldini and Maserati on water.
BSI and Generali
BSI is one of Switzerland’s oldest banks and specialises in private wealth management through top flight global management. BSI is a fully controlled member of the Generali Group, and fields a presence on all major international financial markets, especially in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Generali is one of the world’s largest international insurance groups with offices in over 60 countries. The group boasts a robust footprint in Europe, EEC member states, Asia and Latin America, serving over 70 million customers. The Generali Group is a European leader in life insurance with assets of over 400 billion euros.
Suppliers for the attempt include Vodafone Italia, responsible for providing telecommunication services and developing the official website, the marine clothing brand Murphy&Nye, who have supplied the clothing for the entire Maserati team, official time keeper Bulgari, and Boero Bartolomeo S.p.A. producers of the special paints and enamels used on the hull.
Maserati is also sponsored by Eataly, suppliers to the boat’s galley, Beta Utensili, who have provided all the professional tools, Corderia Lancelin, supplier of the special ropes and cables, FPT Industrial for technical assistance with the engines, Jeppesen for the cartography, B&G Navico for technical assistance with on-board instrumentation, Cantiere Picchiotti of La Spezia, home of Maserati on dry land, and the Port of La Spezia, home of Maserati when at sea
