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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

Tomorrow, Friday, August 16, 2024 I'll be setting sail. Again.

It takes a lot of organization and the unwavering support of incredible people to manage multiple projects, travel, and training.

I’m writing this on an airplane back to the US in a brief moment of quietness. I’m taking my daughter Harriet to stay with her Grandma while her Mom, Sally, is working in France for the US Sailing…

Francesca takes a look back on the first Act of the Ocean Fifty Series in Saint-Malo and looks forward to Act Two

The selection process for the UpWind by MerConcept squad is about to begin … hear the latest from Francesca

Francesca’s dream is to race solo, non-stop around the world in the Vendee Globe - the pinnacle of offshore sailing