Yacht Maserati sets another Record Sailing from New York to San Francisco

Yacht "Maserati" sets another Record Sailing from New York to San Francisco, February 16th, 2013

Yacht "Maserati" sets another Record Sailing from New York to San Francisco
February 16th, 2013

The 70 foot Yacht "Maserati" sets another record sailing from New York to San Francisco rounding Cape Horn crossing the historic finish line between Alcatraz Island in the center of the San Francisco Bay and Coit Tower in 47 days, 2 hours and 33 minutes. "Maserati" was skippered by Italian Giovanni Soldini who led a 9 member international crew from 6 different countries on a trip that covered 13,225 miles rounding Cape Horn. The record record of 57 days, three hours and two minutes was set in 1998 by "Aquitainne Innovations". Yacht Maserati had very good winds at Cape Horn. "Upwind sailing but only 35 knots which for the Cape Horn is excellent this time of year" said the only American on board, Ryan Breymaier "almost the perfect Cape Horn rounding".  The crew passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, escorted by a San Francisco Fire Boat with celebratory spray, around 10:30 am on Saturday morning, much earlier then expected. By the time the "Maserati" crossed the historic finish line, a flotilla of yachting aficionados, photo boats and charter boats were surrounding her cheering an enthusiastic welcome. I was invited to board by the Captain after the historic finish.

Rounding the Horn, under sail on a non-stop passage of more than 3,000 miles passing through the latitude of 50 degrees south both east and west of Cape Horn, grants sailors eligibility to apply for membership of the exclusive International Association of Cape Horners; an organization worthy of respect whose origins lie amongst those who rounded the Horn as professional seamen serving upon the tall ships of the Clipper era. There are no exceptions to the strict joining criteria. It is the 'Mount Everest' of ocean sailing.

Route D'Or
The passage from New York to San Francisco has been referred to as the "Route D'Or" (route to gold)  in the early gold rush when it typically took more then 200 days to make the trip. The yacht "Maserati" has broken the record for a single hull sailing vessel. In 2008 the multi-hulled "Gitana 13" broke all records with 43 days and 38 minutes. This makes the captain and crew eligible to apply for membership of the exclusive International Association of Cape Horners; a redoubtable organisation whose origins lie amongst those who rounded the Horn as professional seamen serving upon the tall ships of the Clipper era. To be eligible a non-passage has to have been for more then 3,000 miles passing through the latitude of 50 degrees south both east and west of Cape Horn. In 1854 the a clipper ship named the "Flying Cloud" set the world's sailing record for the fastest passage between New York and San Francisco, 89 days 8 hours. The "Flying Cloud" held this record for over 100 years, from 1854 -1989 when it the record was broken by "Thursday's Child" with 80 days and 20 hours.

The all male crew included American, German, Italian, Spanish, French and Chinese sailors. The members have  all sailed together on previous boats but never as previously as a team.

Sandra Cannon
San Francisco Bay Digital Images
All Rights Reserved. 
For Photography or Video Licensing Contact www.sfbayimages.com 415-331-3804