Maserati ahead of Mari Cha IV record by 190 miles + Video
by Meaghan Van Liew on 12 May 2012
Maserati Challenge
Giovanni Soldini and the Maderati crew are facing intense conditions, sailing through the floating icebergs of Newfoundland. At 12.36 GMT (08.36 EDT) the crew is flying at a speed of 23 knots, taking an advantage of 190 miles on Mari Cha IV, the 140 foot maxi yacht that set the New York-Lizard Point speed record in 2003.
Giovanni Soldini and his international crew of seven are facing floating icebergs and freezing 5° Celsius waters off the Newfoundland coast. Due to these severe conditions, the navigation is certainly challenging.
On board Maserati, Giovanni Soldini explains: 'We will shortly be sailing in the iceberg zone and we will be out of it in about 130 miles. The water temperature is currently at 5° Celsius. For safety reasons we have decided to slow down a little. We have been forced to follow a northerly route that takes us through the floating icebergs because the Azores high pressure is really far north. We will sail up to 49°N and then head towards Lizard Point. Both Maserati and the crew are doing great and we are really pleased with the advantage we have on Mari Cha IV. The next hours are crucial. We will keep our eyes wide open.'
Maserati left New York on May 9 at 7.20 GMT (3.20 EDT) to try and break the New York - Lizard Point speed record set by Mari Cha IV that sailed the route in 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes and 39 seconds. Today at 12.36 GMT Maserati still has to sail 1,862 miles.
The record attempt can be followed live on Giovanni Soldini and Maserati's
website.
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