Maserati Sets New SF-Shanghai Benchmark

The VOR70 Maserati arrived at the bustling port of Shanghai, China, Sunday to a festive welcome, having carved more than 10 days off the San Francisco-to-Shanghai record, set way back in 1853 by the China tea clipper Swordfish. The new time of 21 days, 19 hours, 32 minutes and 54 seconds is expected to be officially ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council soon. 

Skippered by renowned ocean racer Giovanni Soldini, Maserati had relatively good luck along its route, reaching the longitude of Hawaii in six days, then later running under the sloop’s largest spinnaker for 10 straight days in trade wind conditions. Early in the trip, though, the international crew was threatened by two tropical storms, and had to slow down to avoid debris in the infamous North Pacific Garbage Patch. Heavy ship traffic and light, shifty winds made the final days especially challenging. 

It’s anybody’s guess who will challenge this record next. But as Maserati crew members have intimated, their time is certainly not unbreakable. Averaging 14.1 knots, Maserati logged 7,392 nm along their southerly route, compared to the ‘great circle’ distance of 5,334 nm.

What’s next for Soldini and Maserati? Look for them on the starting line of this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in late December. Find more on Maserati at the official website.