Destriero yacht holds record for fastest Atlantic crossing

The Destriero, an Italian vessel designed for extreme speed, holds a long-standing record for the fastest Atlantic crossing. Built by Fincantieri, the yacht was engineered with three turbines producing 60,000 CV to achieve a specific technological goal: crossing the Atlantic Ocean without refueling in record time.

In August 1992, the vessel completed a journey of 3,106 nautical miles from Ambrose Light, off New York, to Bishop Rock in the Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom. The crossing was achieved in 58 hours, 34 minutes, and 50 seconds, maintaining an average speed of 53.09 knots (approximately 98 km/h).

The project was driven by Karim Aga Khan, then president of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and supported by prominent Italian industrial figures such as Fiat's Giovanni Agnelli. Unlike modern superyachts that prioritize luxury and size, the Destriero was conceived as a high-performance machine to secure a maritime speed record for Italy.