Watch CBS News

Racing Yacht Sets Record From New York To San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A racing yacht named after one of the world's fastest cars has sailed into San Francisco Bay in what organizers say is the fastest passage of a single-hulled sailing vessel from New York to San Francisco.

The 70-foot Maserati sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge late Saturday morning, 47 days after pulling out of New York City.

The trip covered more than 13,000 miles in what sailors have said for centuries is one of the most challenging sailing journeys in the world.

maserati_yacht2

The eight-member crew of the Maserati -- led by its Italian skipper 47-year-old Giovanni Soldini -- left New York City on New Year's Eve.

Though calm winds late Friday pushed back the vessel's expected arrival by a few hours, organizers say the crew easily beat the most recent record of 57 days set in 1998.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.