Team Francesca Clapcich - Powered by 11th Hour Racing Unveil Bold New Boat Branding ahead of The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026
As the countdown to the September 1st start of The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026 intensifies, the fleet is beginning to reveal its true colours. Today, the spotlight falls on Team Francesca Clapcich - Powered by 11th Hour Racing, as they pull back the curtain on a visual identity that is as much a manifesto as it is a racing livery.
After a meticulous four-month winter refit, Francesca’s 60-foot IMOCA has emerged from the shed not just faster and structurally optimised, but transformed.
The striking new design is the work of renowned naval graphic designer Jean-Baptiste Epron working in collaboration with the Italian award-winning duo Van Orton Design. Twin brothers Stefano and Marco Schiavon - famed for their work with Marvel, Disney, and rock legends like Pearl Jam - have evolved their signature "stained-glass" pop-art style for this second collaboration with title sponsor 11th Hour Racing.
Departing from the sharp black outlines of the past, the new livery embraces a fluid, textural mosaic. The central motif is a human face composed of interlocking silhouettes. A powerful visual metaphor for the community, connection, and mutual support that defines the team’s mission.
Believe. Belong. Achieve.
For Francesca, this boat is the physical vessel for her "Believe, Belong, Achieve" campaign.
"It’s quite humbling to see our purpose campaign come to life in this spectacularly visual way," Clapcich remarked. "I’ve spent my career trying to fit into sailing, and now I want sailing to fit more people."
The design reflects three core pillars:
- Believe: Showing the world what is possible through elite performance.
- Belong: Creating an equitable space for everyone in the maritime industry.
- Achieve: Driving the collective action needed for a healthy, sustainable ocean.
The Road to The Ocean Race Atlantic 2026
Bringing this vision to life was a marathon of craftsmanship. Naval graphic designer Jean-Baptiste Epron coordinated the application, which required over 1,600 hours of labor and 11 custom-mixed colors from Boero Yacht Coating to extend the artwork from the sails down to the waterline.
As the team begins five weeks of technical "shakedown" sailing, the focus shifts to the high-stakes 2026 season. When the fleet gathers in New York City this August, this boat will be impossible to miss.
On September 1st, as the fleet sets sail in the shadow of the Manhattan skyline, Francesca and her crew won't just be racing toward the finish line, but they will be carrying a 60-foot reminder that the health of our ocean and the strength of our communities depend on all of us.