Team Malizia

Francesca Clapcich

Co-skipper

Italy/United States

Date of birth: 28 January 1988
Place of birth: Trieste, Italy

Francesca Clapcich is an Italian-American record-setting offshore sailor. A highly versatile athlete, she represented Italy at both the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, she has raced twice around the world, becoming the first Italian to ever win in the 50-year history of The Ocean Race in the 2022-23 edition, and in 2024 she represented the USA in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.

From February 2024-25 Francesca was also skipper of UpWind by MerConcept, the very first all-female team racing in the Ocean Fifty Series. In March 2025, Clapcich announced that, alongside Title Sponsor 11th Hour Racing, she will start her IMOCA Globe Series campaign in a bid to enter the 2028 Vendée Globe - racing solo, non-stop around the world in a 60-foot IMOCA sailing boat. If she completes the notoriously challenging race, she will become the first person in the world to have competed in sailing’s ‘Big Four’ events - The Olympics, The America’s Cup, The Ocean Race, and the Vendée Globe.

Alongside Clapcich’s sporting ambitions, her team are focused on bringing dynamic change to the sailing industry and beyond, by embedding the culture of belonging into the sport for a just future where people can believe in themselves, belong in an equitable and sustainable world, and achieve their dreams.

Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing will use the IMOCA campaign, Francesca’s experiences as a professional athlete, and the sport of sailing to contribute to tackling discrimination and climate change through education, advocacy, and collective action. Clapcich lives in Park City, Utah, with her wife, Sally Barkow, also an Olympian, and their 2 year old daughter, Harriet.

“I’m very excited to join the Team Malizia crew, and this will actually be my first Ocean Race Europe,” says Francesca Clapcich. “I’m looking forward to the high-intensity format and to racing with a high-performing team made up of genuinely kind and inspiring people. On top of that, as I’m purchasing the boat, it’s an incredible opportunity to race with the very team who built her and knows all her secrets.”

Sailing highlights 

  • Started sailing with the Italian National Sailing Team at 11 years old in 1999
  • Represented Italy at London 2012 in Laser Radial (19th) and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 in 49erFX (5th) 2015 World, European, and National Champion in 49erFX Class
  • Raced in La Solitaire du Figaro in 2021 - a solo multi-stage sprint around the coastline of France - where she was presented with the Fighting Spirit award
  • Competed in two editions of The Ocean Race, in 2017-18 with Turn the Tide on Plastic (6th) and with 11th Hour Racing Team in 2022-23 (overall winner and first ever Italian to lift the coveted trophy in the 50 year history of the race)
  • Raced in the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup for American Magic in October 2024
  • Skipper of UpWind by MerConcept in the Ocean Fifty Series February 2024-2025
  • March 2025 announced ambition to compete in the 2028 the Vendée Globe with 11th Hour Racing as Title Sponsor

  • Date of birth: 28 January 1988
    Place of birth: Trieste, Italy

    Francesca Clapcich is an Italian-American record-setting offshore sailor. A highly versatile athlete, she represented Italy at both the London and Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, she has raced twice around the world, becoming the first Italian to ever win in the 50-year history of The Ocean Race in the 2022-23 edition, and in 2024 she represented the USA in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.

    From February 2024-25 Francesca was also skipper of UpWind by MerConcept, the very first all-female team racing in the Ocean Fifty Series. In March 2025, Clapcich announced that, alongside Title Sponsor 11th Hour Racing, she will start her IMOCA Globe Series campaign in a bid to enter the 2028 Vendée Globe - racing solo, non-stop around the world in a 60-foot IMOCA sailing boat. If she completes the notoriously challenging race, she will become the first person in the world to have competed in sailing’s ‘Big Four’ events - The Olympics, The America’s Cup, The Ocean Race, and the Vendée Globe.

    Alongside Clapcich’s sporting ambitions, her team are focused on bringing dynamic change to the sailing industry and beyond, by embedding the culture of belonging into the sport for a just future where people can believe in themselves, belong in an equitable and sustainable world, and achieve their dreams.

    Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing will use the IMOCA campaign, Francesca’s experiences as a professional athlete, and the sport of sailing to contribute to tackling discrimination and climate change through education, advocacy, and collective action. Clapcich lives in Park City, Utah, with her wife, Sally Barkow, also an Olympian, and their 2 year old daughter, Harriet.

    “I’m very excited to join the Team Malizia crew, and this will actually be my first Ocean Race Europe,” says Francesca Clapcich. “I’m looking forward to the high-intensity format and to racing with a high-performing team made up of genuinely kind and inspiring people. On top of that, as I’m purchasing the boat, it’s an incredible opportunity to race with the very team who built her and knows all her secrets.”

    Sailing highlights 

    • Started sailing with the Italian National Sailing Team at 11 years old in 1999
    • Represented Italy at London 2012 in Laser Radial (19th) and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 in 49erFX (5th) 2015 World, European, and National Champion in 49erFX Class
    • Raced in La Solitaire du Figaro in 2021 - a solo multi-stage sprint around the coastline of France - where she was presented with the Fighting Spirit award
    • Competed in two editions of The Ocean Race, in 2017-18 with Turn the Tide on Plastic (6th) and with 11th Hour Racing Team in 2022-23 (overall winner and first ever Italian to lift the coveted trophy in the 50 year history of the race)
    • Raced in the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup for American Magic in October 2024
    • Skipper of UpWind by MerConcept in the Ocean Fifty Series February 2024-2025
    • March 2025 announced ambition to compete in the 2028 the Vendée Globe with 11th Hour Racing as Title Sponsor