 Maserati
The route is so named for the Gold Rushers who sailed the same waters in the days prior to the Panama Canal, but is still traveled for sport and glory. Thursday's Child set the record in 1989 at 80 days and 20 hours. Ecureuil Poitou beat that time in 1994 at 62 days and 5 hours, followed by Aquitaine Innovations in 1998 at 57 days, 3 hours, 2 minutes – a record which stood until Maserati took the prize.
"We are exceedingly happy!” said Giovanni Soldini, captain of the Maserati and its eight-man crew. “The Golden Route is an historic record, a very important and challenging one. Now it will bear the colors of the Italian flag. Maserati proved to be extremely powerful, strong and reliable. The crew has been extraordinary over these 47 days, everyone was prepared to face even the hardest situation.” |