We have two new official suppliers, and both are Italian brands …
Being Italian is incredibly important to me - it’s where I come from, it’s where my immediate family are, and it’s the country that I represented for two Olympic Games. Just 24-hours after announcing North Sails Apparel as a new supplier, I’m really proud to announce two more Italian brands joining our campaign - UBI Maior Italia and Gottifredi Maffioli - the latter which has supported me since I started my Olympic campaigns over twenty years ago.
Read more about why we chose to work with them and also why they joined Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing.
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Three days before the start of the Transat Café L’OR, the historic double-handed transatlantic race from Le Havre, France, to Martinique in the Caribbean, and Italian-American sailor Francesca Clapcich has announced that Gottifredi Maffioli and UBI Maior Italia will join her IMOCA campaign as Official Suppliers.
Gottifredi Maffioli will provide Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing the high-performance ropes on the team’s 60-foot IMOCA 11th Hour Racing, with UBI Maior providing the deck gear.
The sixty-foot IMOCA 11th Hour Racing skippered by Francesca Clapcich © Yann Riou | polaRYSE | 11th Hour Racing
With Gottifredi Maffioli and UBI Maior Italia, Clapcich’s campaign gains two suppliers who embody the best of Italian craftsmanship, innovation, and technological expertise. This collaboration blends engineering excellence, competitive experience, and global vision, while promoting a new concept of ocean racing: one that is more inclusive, sustainable, and connected to people and the planet.
“I am proud to have two brands at my side that represent the best of Italian technology and know-how at sea,” said Francesca Clapcich. “Gottifredi Maffioli have supported me with performance ropes since my very first Olympic campaign for London 2012, so it is particularly sweet to have them onboard with us as we start the long journey to the Vendée Globe. And UBI Maior Italia deck equipment is synonymous with reliability and performance, which are essential in any ocean race. With these top Italian brands joining our team, we know we can count on top-quality materials to tackle any conditions in complete safety and with maximum efficiency.”
Gottifredi Maffioli: tradition and technology intertwined
Founded in 1926, Gottifredi Maffioli is a world leader in the production of high-performance ropes for professional and competitive sailing. From the Olympic Games to ocean racing, its advanced fibres and technological innovations have contributed to the success of several international teams. Based in Novara, the company combines artisanal heritage with constant research and development, bringing Italian excellence to the decks of the world’s most competitive yachts.
“Working with an athlete like Francesca Clapcich is a source of great pride for us,” declared Rossella Maffioli, Commercial Director at Gottifredi Maffioli. “Her determination and passion for facing challenges perfectly reflect our values. We share the same spirit of innovation and continuous improvement that drives us to develop cutting-edge solutions for high-performance sailing.”
Luigi Maffioli (left), Francesca Clapcich and Matteo Micheli from Gottifredi Mafioli © Marie Lefloch | 11th Hour Racing
UBI Maior Italia: engineering and passion Made in Florence
Founded in Florence in 2010, UBI Maior Italia designs and manufactures technological solutions for both racing and cruising yachts, combining innovation, reliability, and precision. Its products ensure maximum control and safety in all conditions, embodying the craftsmanship and excellence that define Italian manufacturing. The company is now among the global leaders in deck equipment, producing both standard and bespoke systems.
“Supporting Francesca means believing in a modern, technological, and deeply human kind of sailing,” said Raffaele Di Russo of UBI Maior Italia. “Our products are created to deliver maximum control and reliability, the same qualities Francesca brings to every race. Through this partnership, we aim to share the passion, innovation, and Italian spirit that drive our work. Together, we will develop new solutions for ocean racing deck systems, blending the first-hand experience of the sailor with the reliability and design of Made in Italy engineering. UBI Maior Italia remains committed to supporting challenges that embody dedication, precision, and innovation, with these values at the heart of everything we do.”
Ubi Maior hatch handles in action onboard 11th Hour Racing! © Marie Lefloch | 11th Hour Racing
Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing will set off on the Transat Café L’OR on Sunday, October 26, racing from Le Havre in France to Martinique in the Caribbean. Clapcich’s co-skipper in the double-handed transatlantic sprint will be Britain’s Will Harris.