Rolex Middle Sea Race 2016: Maserati first home

Giovanni Soldini's MOD70 Maserati crossed the finish line of the 2016 Rolex Middle Sea Race at the Royal Malta Yacht Club to take Multihull Line Honours at 14.00.01 CET on Monday 24th October in an elapsed time of 2 days 01 hours 25 minutes and 01 seconds. In doing so, Maserati has also set a new multihull race record for the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Maserati had trailed Lloyd Thornburg's MOD70 Phaedo3 for most of the race, but following what appears to be a simple navigation error by Phaedo3, Maserati seized the moment to claim victory.

“The first part of the race went well, more or less, said Giovanni Soldini. "The two of us arrived together. They chose to go in shore and we went a little bit out. They made the right decision and they took an advantage there. We then played the section in the night very well, especially through Messina and we were very close. Then from Messina to Stromboli they did better than us. We stayed too far west.”

“I bet that the best passage along the north of Sicily would be far off the coast and I was nearly right. We almost went past them, but then no and we stopped. It was like a piece of elastic, we catch up then they go away.”

“A race is never over until you finish. Anything can happen. When I saw that Phaedo had tacked, I thought they had broken something. I wondered if maybe I should call them on the radio to ask if they have some problem and they need something. Luckily I didn’t because it took a long time for them to discover their error!”

Damage before the race reduced the potential of Maserati; she had to sail with a replacement non-foiling rudder and daggerboard on the starboard side. Even so, Soldini was pleased with what he saw:

“The different conditions meant we could try different things. I was really impressed with the sail combination and speed just after the start between the breakwater and the first turning mark. I couldn’t tell you if we would have been faster over the whole race if we had not damaged the rudder. It is a bet. In some moments for sure. From here to Sicily way faster and also from Stromboli to the end of Sicily way faster too when we were reaching in 20 knots with a flat see. But who knows.”

Maserati crew member: Pierre Casiraghi

“This was always a race that I have thought about because it is my offshore ‘home race’. I know all the islands we go by since I was a kid, so it is something special for me. I really like offshore sailing, and the key for me is to have a good team and the right boat. With Giovanni it is just fantastic because he has such a good spirit. He manages very simply to put a good team together, everyone trusts everyone and it is just a pleasure to sail with him whatever the result.”

“He has such experience and is always very easy going with everyone, which is really important especially when you are stuck on a boat for a few days. I think he is amazing for that. And this boat. What a boat, it is great to be able to sail on these trimarans. They have been built really well, go really fast and even though they are safer than the old Orma 60s there is still some spice to it. Anytime it can happen and you can flip the boat quite easily. You need a lot of concentration. This is exciting to be concentrated and focused on what you are doing. I have done the Sydney Hobart last year with the team, and for sure would love to do the Fastnet. The boat wouldn’t matter as much as the team. It is a legend of a race and I will do it eventually.”

Maserati Crew: Giovanni Soldini, Guido Broggi, Carlos Hernandez, Oliver Herrera Perez, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant, Francesco Malingri, Pierre Casiraghi.

George David's American Maxi Rambler 88, is expected to take Monohull Line Honours at around Midnight on Monday 24 October, setting the corrected time for the IRC fleet to claim the overall win.

For more information including pictures, videos and competitors' blogs please visit the official race website - www.rolexmiddlesearace.com

www.rolexmiddlesearace.com
 

(Source: RMYC Press Office)

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

The Royal Malta Yacht Club
Founded in 1835. It is the only yacht club in Malta and is a founder member of the Malta Sailing Federation. The Royal Malta Yacht Club has a deep commitment to yachting and organises a full programme of racing and social activities throughout the year. Located right on the water in Ta’ Xbiex Marina the club offers extraordinary facilities which include a lounge bar and dining area with outdoor terraces, roof top terrace, conference rooms, a fitness room with changing rooms, waterfront facilities for small boats and a seasonal marina for larger boats.

The club is an ideal base for yachtsmen whether for racing or cruising at any time of year. It is a favourite port of call for members of renowned yacht clubs from all over the world with which the club has reciprocal agreements. The members vary in age and profession but share a common passion for, yachting and the social life that is generated around the club.

The 37th Rolex Middle Sea Race
22nd - 29th October 2016

The Rolex Middle Sea Race takes place in the heart of the Mediterranean and covers one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Starting and finishing in Malta, the 608-nautical mile route includes the deep azure waters of Sicily and the Strait of Messina, the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, and even features Stromboli's active volcano as a course mark.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney - Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a "must do" race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968.

2015 welcomed an interesting fleet which included some high profile boats making up a total of 111 yachts, representing 22 countries to make yet another successful event.  Monohull Line Honours went to George David’s Rambler 88 which arrived soon after Lloyd Thornburg's MOD 70 Phaedo 3, which was the first Multihull home. Michele Galli's Italian TP52, B2 won the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy, whilst fellow Italian Vincenzo Onorato's Cookson 50, Mascalzone Latino won the Boccale Del Mediterraneao.

For more information about the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Royal Malta Yacht Club
Address: Ta' Xbiex Seafront. Ta'Xbiex, XBX 1028, Malta
Telephone: +356 21 333109

For Press enquiries:
maria@rmyc.org
+356 9981 2345