Third on the podium into Boka Bay, Montenegro, and now fighting for fourth overall in The Ocean Race Europe. Our seven week tour around Europe is about to come to a close with this weekend’s inshore race an all-important decider.

That was a tough and complicated leg. I’m back ‘home’ now in Italy - where I grew up - and it was amazing to sail into Genoa yesterday, to be welcomed by so many people, to hear crowds of people speaking Italian again!

I arrived in Portsmouth, UK, yesterday just in time to see Team Malizia arrive after Leg 1 of The Ocean Race Europe. The fleet had left Kiel in Germany on August 10, and after 1,000 nautical miles, it was a close fought battle right to the finish with Paprec Arkéa.

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.

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 ...

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.