The record for the run from the Spanish port of Cadiz to San Salvador in the Bahamas, 3884 miles long, is controlled by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, the international body that provides official status to the fastest sailing times along the historic routes once plied by sailing clippers.

The record has been set by Trimarans and is presently held by Frank Cammas who set the record of seven days, ten hours, 58 minutes and 53 seconds aboard Groupama3 in 2007 at an average speed of 21.7 knots. Maserati will be the first monohull to try and win the record since the triple hull domination started and will mean trimming days, not hours, off the time set by the last monohull to hold the record.

“The challenge is a demanding one, given the length and the difficulty of the route”, explains Giovanni Soldini, skipper of Maserati. “During the first part our concerns will be with the area of high pressure blocking our path about the Azores. During the second part the difficulties will be posed by fronts and depressions which, if too low, will slow the boat down. At the same time it’s great to have a chance like this and I am delighted with the entire crew”.

In addition to skipper Soldini, Maserati will be crewed by seven of the world’s leading yachtsmen, the so called ‘rock stars’ of the sport with a past track record in open ocean-going regattas and in competitions such as the America’s Cup. German Boris Herrmann (navigator), American Brad Van Liew (watch leader) and Spaniard David Vera (watch leader) will make up a team completed by four Italians: Gabriele Olivo (trimmer), Guido Broggi (boat captain), Gerardo Siciliano (second bowman), and Corrado Rossignoli (first bowman).