From the start to the finish line: the story of my first race
A week ago, I sat on a train from Boulogne-sur-Mer to Paris, reflecting on the Course des Caps race around Great Britain and Ireland I had just completed aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer.
Francesca Clapcich finishes Course des Caps in 4th with Team Malizia
After over six days at sea, Italian/American offshore sailor Francesca Clapcich and her teammates onboard Malizia–Seaexplorer crossed the finish line of the Course des Caps – Boulogne-sur-Mer – Banque Populaire du Nord, the first-ever IMOCA race around Great Britain and Ireland.
Course des Caps: race updates from onboard with Frankie!
Team Malizia is currently sailing off Ireland’s wild east coast, heading south toward the finish line in Boulogne-sur-Mer. They’re expected to arrive late tomorrow, navigating strong winds along the way. Francesca continues her offshore adventure aboard Malizia - Seaexplorer.
Being Frank(ie) Episode 2 is out now - watch on YouTube!
In this episode, the moment finally arrives — I step onboard Malizia-Seaexplorer for the very first time! It's a big moment because this is going to be the boat I will hopefully sail on the 2028 Vendée Globe ...
Francesca is co-skippering Team Malizia in inaugural Course des Caps
Frankie is going to co-skipper Malizia-Seaexplorer with Britain’s Will Harris in the upcoming Course des Caps. Read on to find out more about this 2,000 mile race around Great Britain and Ireland.
The moment has finally arrived: I’ve sailed on my future IMOCA!
A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to properly meet my future companion for my solo race around the world: the 60-foot sailing boat, Malizia-Seaexplorer. The occasion: one of the first training sessions with Team Malizia.
Our 2025 Team Schedule Is Here… And It’s Packed!
Now that the news is out there that I’m joining Team Malizia for The Ocean Race Europe, I can finally share our team’s schedule for 2025. It’s going to be a busy one!
Will Harris joins Team Francesca for TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR
It’s official! Will Harris is going to be my co-skipper for this year’s TRANSAT CAFÉ L’OR. I’m really pleased we’ll be racing alongside each other - he knows the IMOCA we’ll be racing inside out and I’ll be able to learn so much from him. Stoked to get going!
Francesca Clapcich joins Team Malizia for The Ocean Race Europe
Francesca Clapcich is joining Team Malizia as a co-skipper for the second edition of The Ocean Race Europe, the six-stopover tour around the continent…
Bringing visibility to the scars you can’t see
Five months in and four to go since I had my ACL operation. Yep, this is a long process. Lots of friends have had ACL reconstruction and the common theme they share is: “Be patient! It’s a long…
Francesca Clapcich and the Big Four: A First in Sailing History
The Italian-American sailor Francesca Clapcich is on course to achieve something no one in the sport of sailing has ever managed – man or woman – to become the first person to compete at the…
Francesca launches bid for Vendée Globe powered by 11th Hour Racing
Double Olympian and round-the-world sailor, Francesca Clapcich, along with her Title Sponsor 11th Hour Racing, have announced their ambition to see the Italian American on the startline of the
Announcing our ground-breaking research study
Science-backed storytelling is really important when trying to create a societal shift. Our study will examine how applying the principles of belief and belonging in a high-performance sport
Giving back truly is the very best gift
A few months ago I met Nico for the first time. A passionate sailor, he was living in Rome with a ton of ambition, but no boat, and no clear path in front of him.
Anne-Claire Le Berre takes the helm of UpWind by MerConcept
UpWind by MerConcept is proud to announce Anne-Claire Le Berre as the new skipper for the 2025 season of Upwind, an initiative designed to promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainable
I can now officially call myself Italian American!
Here I am, in a red blazer and shiny shoes, sitting in a small room surrounded by 34 other people and their families. The building is not new to me. The United States Citizenship and Immigration…
Francesca brings her experience to the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum!
Francesca is going to give the keynote address at the upcoming US Sailing Leadership Forum in California next month.
Into the roar: a sailor's love affair with the Southern Ocean
Going into the Southern Ocean is something that a lot of sailors dream of: we fear it, we love it, we also hate it.
The first season has come to an end
As the first season of Upwind by MerConcept has come to an end, I finally have a moment back home in the mountains in Park City, UT, USA to reflect on what an incredible year it has been.
Can’t vote? You still have a voice.
The US election is under one month away but I am not (yet) legally entitled to cast my vote. Should I just shut up and put up with it? Or is there something else I can be doing?