Maserati Multi 70’s Giovanni Soldini and Team are in Los Angeles, ready for the 50th edition of the Transpacific Yacht Race (commonly known as Transpac), which starts today, Saturday 13th July at 12.30 local time.
This edition of the Transpac attracted 90 entrants, among which there are six multihulls. Alongside Maserati Multi 70 there will be the American MOD 70 Argo, the English MOD 70 PowerPlay and the American 63’ trimaran Paradox. In the multihull category there will also be American catamarans Celestra and KastorPollux, respectively 40’ and 42’.
In addition to beating the multihull record, set in 2017 by the American ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe (4 days, 6 hours, 32 minutes and 30 seconds), the Italian trimaran and its competitors will race for the Rudy Choi Perpetual Trophy, awarded for the fastest multihull elapsed time.
Maserati Multi 70’s Team, who have already participated in the Transpac in 2017, will compete again with the two MOD 70s, which they have previously challenged many times: American Argo, skippered by Jason Carroll, and English PowerPlay, skippered by Peter Cunningham. The two rival trimarans will sail in classic mode, even though Argo is working to develop a flying system and will race with flying rudders.
Since its first edition, raced in 1906 with only 3 entrants, the Transpac has become more and more important and today it is one of the most eagerly anticipated and watched racing events.
The historical regatta starts from Pt. Fermin, Los Angeles leaving Catalina Island to port; the finish line, around 2225 miles away, is off Diamond Head, Honolulu, Hawaii.
The weather forecast shows typical conditions for this time of the year: “The first hours after the start will be the hardest» Giovanni Soldini explains, «there will be a wind hole but we will try to make our stand. Later, for around twelve hours, we will sail broad reach with a nice 20-25 wind. After that the wind will start to get lighter and turn to tailwind. We will have to try to stay in the best wind possible and, at the same time, sail around the high pressure.”
Maserati Multi 70’s Team is continuing its research and testing in order to optimize the trimaran’s flying performance. Giovanni Soldini explains: “During the last race, the CA 500, we carried out some tests that helped us further improve the rudders’ system. We already tried it out on the water and it seems to work really well. Maserati Multi 70 is in good shape and we’re excited!”
For this edition of the Transpac, skipper Giovanni Soldini will be joined aboard Maserati Multi 70 by a crew of 7 expert sailors:
Alberto Bona (IT) – he has been passionate about sailing since his youth, he raced in several classes, including Mini 6.50s and Class 40s. He has many miles of sailing experience, two single-handed Atlantic crossings and 8 victories in the Mini 6.50 class. He has previously sailed many miles aboard the Italian trimaran during deliveries, and this edition of the Transpac will be his first race aboard Maserati Multi 70.
Guido Broggi (IT), mainsail trimmer - he is Maserati Multi 70’s boat captain and has thousands of miles of ocean sailing under his belt. He has been working alongside Giovanni Soldini for many years, since he was team leader in the building and in the racing preparation of 60’ Fila in 1998. He was part of Maserati Multi 70’s crew for the Tea Route record from Hong Kong to London and, in 2019, for the RORC Caribbean 600 and the CA 500.
Carlos Hernandez Robayna (ESP), trimmer – he has many years of sailing experience and has raced in various classes. He has sailed alongside Giovanni Soldini in several regattas and ocean crossings, among which the Transpacific Yacht Race and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Aboard Maserati Multi 70, he participated, in 2018, in the Rolex Middle Sea Race and in the RORC Transatlantic Race and, in 2019, in the RORC Caribbean 600.
Oliver Herrera Perez (ESP), bowman – throughout his career he raced aboard Ims 500s, Swan 45s and Rc44s. He was previously part of VOR 70 Maserati’s crew and now he continues to race as bowman aboard Maserati Multi 70. He crewed for Giovanni Soldini during the Tea Route record and, in 2019, for the RORC Caribbean 600 and the CA 500.
François Robert (FRA), pitman – he participated in many races, among which two Mini Transat and one Transat Jacques Vabre. He was part of the building Team for Giovanni Soldini’s 60’ Fila and Class 40 Telecom Italia. Aboard the Italian trimaran he participated in the latest edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and the RORC Transatlantic Race and, in 2019, in the CA 500.
Matteo Soldini (IT), grinder and trimmer – he has been part of the Maserati Multi 70 project since its start and has participated in many offshore races. He was part of the trimaran’s crew for the latest
