On September 1, we’ll set off from New York on The Ocean Race Atlantic, racing to Lorient in France. It will be the first fully crewed race for our team and I'll have three really strong sailors and one onboard reporter right by my side. 

The thing that hits you first when you're solo is that there's no-one to turn to. No tactician, no navigator, no second opinion.

This day always brings back good memories. I represented Italy twice at the Olympic Games, in London 2012 and in Rio 2016. Those years were intense, formative, and honestly some of the best of my life. In 2016, we finished fifth in the 49erFX class in Rio with Giulia Conti.

After an intense Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne race all the way up to the Arctic Circle and back, it's time to give our IMOCA 11th Hour Racing a little love! She’s heading back into the shed at our team base in La Base, Lorient, France for a three week summer refit.

Italian-American offshore sailor Francesca Clapcich onboard 11th Hour Racing has finished the Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne in fifth place, after 8 days, 20 hours, 31 minutes, and 11 seconds of racing to the Arctic Circle and back from Les Sables d’Olonne, France.

Onboard 11th Hour Racing this morning, Francesca is in good spirits, about 105 nautical miles west-northwest of Brest, France, and focusing on the final stages of the Vendée Arctique after nearly eight days at sea.

Nearly seven days into the Vendée Arctique, and Francesca is in good heart onboard 11th Hour Racing, having managed to get some decent sleep as the boat cruised down the west coast of Ireland powered by a fresh easterly wind.

Day 6 and the co-skipper Alberto Bona gives his view on Francesca’s Vendée Arctique race so far

While Frankie is racing onboard 11th Hour Racing she isn’t ‘just’ racing … she’s also contributing towards ocean science research.

After three days at sea, Francesca has her IMOCA, 11th Hour Racing, in a strong position in the fleet ranking, holding fourth place about 123 nautical miles behind the leader, Sam Goodchild on MACIF Santé Prévoyance.

After nearly 48 hours at sea in the third edition of the Vendée Arctique, Francesca is flying along, very close to the Irish coast on board 11th Hour Racing, and holding fifth position out of the eight boats still racing.

After 24 hours at sea, Francesca Clapcich onboard 11th Hour Racing is lying in sixth place in the Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne, heading northwest in light winds, but with a fast and rough ride to the southern tip of Ireland to come.

At 1302 CEST (1102 UTC) on Sunday, June 7, 2026, Italian-American offshore sailor, Francesca Clapcich crossed the startline of the Vendée Arctique - Les Sables d’Olonne, one of the most innovative events in offshore racing.

The gun goes off at 13:02. Whether you're in Les Sables d'Olonne or watching from home, here's how to follow every moment.

Ahead of the start of the Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne, the race organisation sat down with Francesca for a conversation that goes beyond the race itself.

On June 7, 2026, Italian-American offshore sailor Francesca Clapcich will take the start of the Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d'Olonne onboard her 60-foot foiling IMOCA 11th Hour Racing.

The Vendée Globe has long been a dream of mine - racing solo, non-stop, around the world.

Francesca Clapcich explains why she feels so passionate about marine life.

A few days after crossing the finish line of the 1000 Race, I finally feel like I've got the brain space to sit down and actually take it all in. I’ve finished my first ever solo IMOCA race!