The 5th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, started today, November 24th at 12.00 UTC. Ten boats aligned on the starting line in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, ready to cover the 2995 miles across the Atlantic Ocean towards the finish line in Grenada, Caribbean.
With a South-West wind of 9 knots, the two competing trimarans crossed the start line almost aligned: Maserati Multi 70 followed a few seconds after PowerPlay, the English MOD 70 skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, already challenged in October in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.
The two trimarans’ goal, other than winning in their category, will be to challenge the race’s speed record for the multihulls, set in 2015 by Lloyd Thornburg who, aboard the American Phaedo3, crossed the finish line after 5 days, 22 hours, 46 minutes and 3 seconds.
A few minutes before setting sail, skipper Giovanni Soldini commented: “We are very happy to start this race and to challenge again a MOD 70, specially one with a tough crew such as PowerPlay’s. Our Team is fit and energetic: we will do our best as always!”
Photo © Mikel Prieto
