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‘Phaedo3’ and ‘Maserati’ Off to Hawaii

In what we’re calling the Main Event of this year’s Transpac, Phaedo3 and Maserati crossed the starting line yesterday and are sprinting for Honolulu — and possibly into Transpac history. There’s been endless hype about records being set (or more accurately, recent records being broken). Regardless, two heavyweights are about to slug it out on the Pacific.

The much-anticipated main event started with a . . . mild, light-wind bang, as Phaedo3 and Maserati crossed the starting line yesterday and set their bows (six between them) for Hawaii.

© 2017 Maserati

Phaedo3 and Maserati started on Thursday in Division 0 with three other multihulls — it was the third start for the 2017 Transpac. Also on the line were Mighty Merloe (which many see as a possible spoiler, especially on corrected time), Loe Real and Chim Chim

Giovanni Soldini at the tiller of Maserati during a joyride in June. 

latitude/Timmy
©2017Latitude 38 Media, LLC

Phaedo3 set the L.A.-to-Honolulu record in May, sailing under ideal conditions. Whether there’ll be enough wind to propel the big trimarans into Transpac fame is anyone’s guess (the start saw exceptionally light air), And whether Maserati’s unique foils will fly her to victory — and yes, a possible record — is also a question we’re eager to see answered. 

"The forecast looks good, even though there will be light winds at the start," Giovanni Soldini was quoted as saying on the Maserati site. "The trade winds should be stable and in the range of 13-20 knots. We start to fly in winds above 14 knots and really get going fast in the range up to 20 knots.

Maserati training earlier this year in preparation for the Main Event.

© 2017 Guilain Grenier

"But the real challenge of the race will be to avoid the objects and debris floating in the water that could damage our foils or rudders. The infamous island of plastic is in the Pacific Ocean, and we have seen a lot of debris in the water here when we have been training. 

"Apart from that, we are really excited: The boat is fine and really fast. We have had some tiring months in the boatyard and Maserati’s team has worked hard to get us ready for this race. Now, we can’t wait to get started."

Phaedo3, the record holder, sets off from Los Angeles to defend her title. 

© 2017 Phaedo

We’re expecting the trimarans to finish by our Monday ‘Lectronic dealine, and will be watching this weekend. 

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It’s that time of year when hundreds of West Coast sailors are having to make decisions — some of them quite expensive — about how to outfit their boats for Mexico and perhaps the South Pacific and beyond.