Francesca Clapcich

Francesca Clapcich
Personal information
NationalityItalian | American
Born (1988-01-28) 28 January 1988
Trieste, Italy
Medal record
Offshore Racing
2023 The Ocean Race IMOCA
2025 The Transat Café L'OR IMOCA


World Championships
2015 Argentina 49er FX
2014 Santander 49er FX


European Championships
2015 European Championship 49er FX
2016 European Championship 49er FX


World Cup
2015 Olympic Test Event 49er FX
2014 World Cup Final 49er FX
2015 World Cup Miami 49er FX
2015 World Cup Hyères 49er FX
2015 Eurosaf Riva del Garda 49er FX

Francesca Clapcich (born 28 January 1988 in Trieste) is an Italian/American professional sailor, with World, European, and National Championship titles to her name. She is the first and only Italian to win The Ocean Race, the round the world yacht race.[1][2] Clapcich is widely regarded as one of the most versatile sailors in the world, having competed at the highest levels across Olympic classes, match racing, and offshore ocean racing[3][4].

Career

Inshore Racing

Clapcich represented Italy in two Summer Olympics:

In 2015, Clapcich and Conti achieved a historic 'Triple Crown', winning the World, European, and Italian Championships in the 49erFX class[6][7][8]. For these achievements, they were awarded the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit) - also known as Italian Sailor of the Year - on 27 October 2015, the highest honour conferred by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI)[9]. In 2016 they came second at the European Championships.[10]

In 2021 she became the first Italian woman to compete in the Solitaire du Figaro offshore sailing circuit, where she finished 25th, winning the ‘Fighting Spirit’ award[11].

In 2024, Clapcich further expanded her repertoire by joining the US team American Magic for the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona.[12]

Offshore Racing

In 2017–18, Clapcich made her offshore debut as a crew member on Turn the Tide on Plastic in the Volvo Ocean Race (now The Ocean Race), skippered by Dee Caffari.

Her historic victory came in the 2022–23 edition of The Ocean Race, where she was a key crew member on 11th Hour Racing Team, the overall winners. This made her the first Italian in the 53 year history of the race to lift the trophy.[13]

In 2024 she joined UpWind by MerConcept, an innovative all-female scouting and training program launched in collaboration with MerConcept with 11th Hour Racing as sponsor[14]. This initiative aims to bridge the gender gap in offshore racing by providing female sailors with professional opportunities to compete at the highest level on Ocean Fifty multihulls.[15]

MerConcept Racing Director Cécile Andrieu commented that Clapcich, the first Italian to win The Ocean Race, would bring skill, passion, and determination to the project. Andrieu also noted her commitment to diversity and inclusion, emphasizing that under her leadership, UpWind aims to foster a sailing community that is welcoming and accessible to all.[16]

The inaugural squad, led by Francesca, featured a diverse group of international talent including Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) and Elodie-Jane Mettraux (SUI). The team's debut season in the 2024 Ocean Fifty Series served as a high-performance training ground, a momentum carried into the 2025 season, where the team established itself as a consistent contender, notably climbing to 6th place in the overall championship standings following strong performances in the early Acts of the Ocean Fifty Series[17].

In February 2025, Francesca transitioned to the role of Ambassador and Mentor, handing over the helm to Anne-Claire Le Berre as the team's new skipper. In this new capacity, she continues to provide strategic guidance and advocacy for the program.[18]

Current campaign - Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing

In January 2024 it was announced that Francesca would be powered by 11th Hour Racing as a sponsored athlete to join its global initiatives for a more inclusive and sustainable future.[19] Clapcich announced her desire to further advance efforts in cultivating a safe, diverse, and equitable environment within the sailing industry.[20] In March 2025, Clapcich announced the launch of Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing, a solo offshore campaign aimed at the 2028 Vendée Globe - a non-stop, unassisted solo round-the-world race.[21]

In October 2025, she purchased the 60-foot IMOCA Malizia-Seaexplorer the vessel that set the 24-hour distance record in 2023 by Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia)[22]. Should she complete the Vendée Globe, she will become the first person in history to compete in sailing’s 'Big Four': the Olympic Games, The Ocean Race, the America’s Cup in the women's competition, and the Vendée Globe.[23]

2025 racing results

  • Transat Café L’OR 2025: In November 2025, Clapcich and co-skipper Will Harris secured a historic second place in the IMOCA Class. This was the best result for a woman in the Class in 20 years since Dame Ellen MacArthur also finished second in 2005; the best result for an international pairing in the French-dominated IMOCA Class since 2011; and she was the first American woman and first Italian woman ever to compete in the race.[24]
  • IMOCA Globe Series: Clapcich concluded the 2025 season ranked 5th in the global annual standings for IMOCA skippers.[25][26]

2026 racing calendar

In January 2026, the team announced that Italian offshore veteran Alberto Bona had joined the campaign as co-skipper and Sailing Performance Manager.[27]

The 2026 season includes four major offshore races as part of her IMOCA Globe Series campaign leading toward the 2028 Vendée Globe.

  • 1000 Race (May 3, 2026): A 1,000-nautical-mile solo sprint starting from Port-la-Forêt, France.
  • Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne (June 7, 2026): A 3,000-nautical-mile solo race toward the Arctic Circle and qualifier for the Vendée Globe.
  • The Ocean Race Atlantic (Sept 2, 2026): A crewed transatlantic race from NYC to Europe, with 11th Hour Racing as the event’s Impact Partner.
  • Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe (Nov 1, 2026): A 3,500-nautical-mile solo race from Saint-Malo to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, and a qualifier for the Vendée Globe.

Racing CV

Offshore

2nd The Transat Café L’OR 2025 IMOCA

4th The Ocean Race Europe 2025 IMOCA

4th Course des Caps 2025 IMOCA

5th IMOCA Globe Series 2025

9th Ocean fifty Series Championship 2024 Ocean Fifty

1st The Ocean Race 2023 IMOCA

25th La Solitaire du Figaro 2021 Figaro Class

6th Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 VO65

Inshore

5th in Group A Puig Women’s America’s Cup 2024 AC40

Worlds and Olympic Games

World Champion 2015 49er FX

3rd World Championship 2014 49er FX

4th World Championship 2013 49er FX

5th World Championship 2016 49er FX

10th World Championship 2009 Laser Radial

19th Olympic Games 2012 Laser Radial

5th Olympic Games 2016 49er FX

Europeans

European Champion 2015 49er FX

2nd European Championship 2016 49er FX

4th European Championship 2013 49er FX

World Cup

2nd Olympic Games TEST EVENT 2015 49er FX

3rd World Cup Final 2014 49er FX

2nd World Cup Miami 2015 49er FX

3rd World Cup Hyeres 2015 49er FX

1st Eurosaf Riva del Garda 2015 49er FX

Top 10 in World cup regattas in Laser Radial and 49er FX

Other sports

1st place Spanish Throwdown Crossfit 2016

3d place F1 Granfondo bicycle 2016

3rd place S2 Olympic Triathlon distance Grado 2016

3rd place S1 Half Ironman Lanzarote 2012

Activism and Social Impact

Clapcich is a prominent advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in sailing. Through her 'Believe, Belong, Achieve' initiative, she works to break down cultural barriers for underrepresented groups in the sport. Her team runs a Sailing Instructor Program to introduce the concepts of belonging at grassroots sailing clubs and organizations and also the Believe, Belong, Achieve peer-to-peer workshops. She is also a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and ocean sustainability, collaborating with 11th Hour Racing on global environmental and social justice initiatives.[28][29]

In November 2025, she published her autobiography in Italian, Un’onda alla volta ('One Wave at a Time'), detailing her journey from Olympic dinghies to the Southern Ocean and her fight for civil rights in sport.[30]

Awards and honors

In 2015, Clapcich and Conti achieved a historic 'Triple Crown', winning the World, European, and Italian Championships in the 49erFX class[6][7][8]. For these achievements, they were awarded the Collare d'Oro al Merito Sportivo (Golden Collar for Sporting Merit) - also known as Italian Sailor of the Year - on 27 October 2015, the highest honour conferred by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI)[9].

In May 2024 it was announced that Francesca had been shortlisted for two Italian Sailor of the Year Awards - by the Italian Sailing Federation and the Giornale della Vela.[31][32]

In 2021 she became the first Italian woman to compete in the Solitaire du Figaro offshore sailing circuit, where she finished 25th, winning the ‘Fighting Spirit’ award.[33]

While a serving member of the Italian Air Force, Clapcich was awarded the Gold Star Air Force award.

Personal Life

Based in the mountains of Park City, Utah, Francesca Clapcich leads a life defined by high-performance and community service. When she isn’t at sea, she is a dedicated mother to her daughter, Harriet, and an active member of Summit Pride.

Francesca is a Level 3 PSIA Alpine Ski Instructor - the highest qualification in the U.S. - and a specialist in children’s instruction. Her expertise in human performance is backed by a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Science from the University of Urbino, followed by a specialized Masters in Nutrition and Sport from San Raffaele University in Rome. As an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and a certified coach in CrossFit, Weightlifting, and Functional Training, she applies the same rigorous physical and mental preparation to her life on land as she does to elite offshore racing.

Beyond her athletic pursuits, Francesca is a powerful voice for change in the sporting world. She serves as a sponsored athlete for 11th Hour Racing, championing ocean health, social justice and sustainability, and acts as a Mentor and Ambassador for UpWind by MerConcept. She is an active supporter of The Magenta Project, where she helps drive equity and inclusion in sailing. She is an athlete ambassador to Protect Our Winters and their Water Alliance, and is also a eco champion for EcoAthletes, leveraging her dual expertise in the mountains and on the ocean to advocate for environmental preservation.

Francesca lives in Park City, Utah, with her daughter, Harriet.[34]

References

  1. ^ "Francesca Clapcich". London2012.com. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Limited. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Francesca Clapcich". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Francesca CLAPCICH". www.imoca.org. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  4. ^ Vela, Giornale della (9 December 2025). "Francesca of the Oceans: never an Italian woman so good". Giornale della Vela. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Results Centre". sailing.org. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Netherlands and Great Britain wrap up gold and silver in Men's Windsurfer". sailing.org. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Medal race magic gives Denmark the win". sailing.org. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Road to Rio shortening as Hyeres looms". sailing.org. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Giulia Conti e Francesca Clapcich premiate con il Collare d'Oro al merito sportivo per il 2015". Federvela (in Italian). Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Giulia Conti e Francesca Clapcich sono medaglia d'argento all'Europeo 49er FX". Federvela (in Italian). Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  11. ^ Messager, Serge (13 September 2021). "Solitaire du Figaro : Une Manche bien retroussée". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  12. ^ Vela, Giornale della (4 December 2023). "Francesca Clapcich chooses American Magic". Giornale della Vela. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  13. ^ Vela, Giornale della (29 June 2023). "Francesca Clapcich is the first Italian to win round-the-world race". Giornale della Vela. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  14. ^ "I'm the new skipper for UpWind by MerConcept". francescaclapcich.com. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  15. ^ "UpWind - Un programme de détection des navigatrices - Course au large - Multicoques Mag". www.multicoques-mag.com (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  16. ^ "Welcome". UpWind By MerConcept. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  17. ^ "A breakthrough 2025 season for UpWind by MerConcept". www.sail-world.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  18. ^ "Anne-Claire Le Berre takes the helm of UpWind by MerConcept". francescaclapcich.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  19. ^ "Francesca Clapcich". 11th Hour Racing. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  20. ^ "11th Hour Racing to power Francesca!". francescaclapcich.com. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  21. ^ "A Rising Star in the IMOCA Class - SAIL Magazine". 4 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  22. ^ "Record des 24 heures - Boris Herrmann : "Nous avons repoussé les limites"". www.imoca.org (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Francesca Clapcich". The Ocean Race (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  24. ^ Couturié, Martin (7 November 2025). "Francesca Clapcich, l'Italienne ambitieuse qui cherche à bousculer les marins français". Le Figaro (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Classement IMOCA Globe Series". www.imoca.org (in French). Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  26. ^ "Francesca Clapcich, the Italian-American skipper who spreads energy | Vendée Globe". www.vendeeglobe.org. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Team Francesca Clapcich announces co-skipper for 2026". The Ocean Race. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  28. ^ dastan (6 March 2025). "Francesca Clapcich - Queer Heroes Outdoors". Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  29. ^ "Francesca Clapcich, Sailing (Italy)". EcoAthletes. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  30. ^ "One wave at a time: Francesca Clapcich tells her life story in a new book". www.sail-world.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  31. ^ Barroccu, Giorgio. "Il Velista dell'Anno 2024 - Scopri tutti i 100 candidati al premio". Il Velista dell'Anno 2024 (in Italian). Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  32. ^ "VOTA I TUOI CAMPIONI DEL 2023 IL VELISTA DELL'ANNO FIV, LA BARCA DELL'ANNO Trofeo Confindustria Nautica, E L'ARMATORE/TIMONIERE DELL'ANNO Trofeo BPER Banca". Il Velista dell'Anno. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  33. ^ "La - Francesca Clapcich remporte le trophée Suzuki France Automobiles de la combativité | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  34. ^ Ascenti, Bianca (30 June 2023). "Francesca Clapcich prima italiana a vincere la Ocean Race". girodiboa.corriere.it (in Italian). Retrieved 29 October 2025.
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