January 15th, 2022 – At 01:51:41 local time (05:51:41 UTC, 06:51:41 Italian time), Maserati Multi70 was the first to cross the finish line of the 8th edition of the RORC Transatlantic Race, organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in collaboration with Yacht Club de France.
Skipper Giovanni Soldini sailed together with Vittorio Bissaro, Oliver Herrera Perez, Thomas Joffrin, Francesco Pedol and Matteo Soldini, in a wild ride across the Atlantic from Lanzarote to Grenada (2995 nautical miles), which saw the crew finish with a real time of 6 days, 18 hours, 51 minutes and 41 seconds. At the end of the competition, the trimaran leaves behind 3476.5 real miles with an average speed of 21.4 knots. The times will be ratified by the race organization in the next few hours.
In second place, some distance behind: Peter Cunningham’s PowerPlay skippered by Ned Collier Wakefield, which starred on board british sailors Giles Scott (tactician for Ineos Team UK in the America’s Cup and winner of two Olympic gold medals in the Finn class) and Miles Seddon (who set the record on this route with Phaedo3 in 2015). Third on the line: Jason Carroll’s Argo skippered by Brian Thompson.
“It was a breathtaking race! Our crew gave their all and Maserati Multi70 really made the difference,” Soldini rejoiced: “I am very satisfied. The result of the work of these years is there for all to see. It has been a very long process of research and development: through records, round the world and competitions we have continued to look for solutions and the boat has gradually reached a maturity that allows it to fly stably and safely with a performance that is clearly superior – at least in these conditions – to that of its rivals who have been following the same path for years and use the latest generation of foils. The aerodynamic and kinetic progress made over the last year, thanks to the contribution of the Maserati Innovation Lab engineers and designer Guillaume Verdier, is evident”.
This edition of the regatta counted on the participation of 32 boats, from more than 22 countries. Maserati Multi70 and its competitors set off on 8 January at 11:00 UTC / local time (12:00 in Italy) from Puerto Calero, Lanzarote, in an easterly wind. Complicated weather conditions directed the MOD70s towards a more northerly route in the ocean, in search of wind.
The first part of the race was dominated by PowerPlay, followed by Argo and Maserati Multi70, but the duel between the three trimarans in the leading fleet never died down. Maserati Multi70, in flying trim, sailed in pursuit, shortening distances along the Atlantic, despite the breakage of the left rudder a few miles from the start when it hit a floating object.
As they hooked up with the trade winds, the trimarans churned up the waters and began a tight gybing duel, and about 500 miles from Grenada, the competition between the three MOD70s ended up concentrated in a ten-mile mirror, setting the stage for a spectacular race finish. With around 250 miles to go the Italian trimaran took the lead and, in a counter-attack on the MOD opponents who had chosen to pass to the south, slipped to the north of the island of Barbados, from where it emerged with a more stable lead that accompanied it to Quarantine Point.
Aboard with me: Vittorio Bissaro, Oliver Herrera Perez, Thomas Joffrin, Francesco Pedol and Matteo Soldini.
“It was a crazy race, we are a great team. It’s a result that makes me really proud,” Vittorio Bissaro commented with emotion.
Photo © RORC / Arthur Daniel
