From Francesca

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. I recently underwent knee surgery, so now its time for some recuperation, spending precious time with my family, and preparing for the exciting challenges ahead.

Last December feels like ages ago when we all came together for the first time to share ideas, dreams, and visions for this incredible new project. From the very beginning, 11th Hour Racing and MerConcept brought unrelenting energy and support, creating a shared understanding in that room: our sport was ready for this kind of breakthrough.

  © Gauthier Lebec / UpWind by MerConcept

Closing the diversity gap

Offshore Racing is one of a few sports (equestrian being another) where women and men can compete on equal terms and are not divided by gender - which should (could?) mean that there are equal numbers of men and women on all teams and all start lines, but this still isnt the case. In the offshore multihull world, women remain a rarity and there is still not really 100% equity to go racing at the highest level of the sport. 

MerConcepts history in offshore racing, with incredible projects led by François Gabart and a team of seasoned experts, has been impressive, and it is a hugely positive and powerful step to see an organization with this experience turning its head to closing the diversity gap.

Leading this project was a leap for me, especially with my limited experience in multihulls, and Im deeply grateful to 11th Hour Racing and MerConcept for trusting me with this role and allowing me to learn alongside the team. We grew together, faced challenges together, and learned every day from each other. I love racing. I love offshore racing. And, more than anything, I love a new challengeespecially with people who inspire me every day. This season, I found all of that in this brand new team.

  © David Lupion / UpWind by MerConcept  

Its all in a name

We had a long brainstorm over what this new organization should be called and we ended up with Upwind. Ill admit, I hesitated at first; upwind isnt exactly every sailors favorite point of sail. But in the end, we couldnt have chosen better. Going upwind requires grit, persistence, and skill. You have to know when to make your move, feel every shift, trim to perfection, and seize the smallest gainsgains that, over time, shift the entire course. This is the essence of Upwind by MerConcept supported by 11th Hour Racing: creating equitable opportunities in a highly competitive sport, seeking change one small gain at a time.

© David Lupion / UpWind by MerConcept

Building the team

The next big step was building the sailing team. Together with 11th Hour Racing and MerConcept, we designed an open application process, intent on making the application form transparent and minimizing barriers. Over 120 applicants from 27 countries flooded ineach with unique backgrounds and goals. Every application was a reminder of how deeply needed these opportunities are. Our selection process was intense for both candidates and the jury: resumes, interviews, calls, and emails, culminating in a gathering in Concarneau where 12 sailors went through four days of trials.

Each one of them brought raw talent, energy, and resolve, and deciding who would go forward was one of the hardest decisions Ive had to make. But in the end, our team was set: Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA), Ariane van de Loosdrecht (NED), Elodie Mettraux (FRA), Lisa Farthofer (AUT), Michaela Robinson (RSA), Sara Stone (USA), Tiphaine Ragueneau (FRA), and myself (representing Italy and the USA!).

Except for Elodie, who I knew from racing alongside her in The Ocean Race (2017-2018), these were all new faces to me. The world of multihull racing can be insular, with the same faces reassembling year after year, leaving little room for fresh talent. We wanted to break that mold and make space for new voices. And this teamthese womenwere proof of what can happen when you open the door.

Our first race in Saint-Malo was just around the corner, and it was a sprint to get there. The technical teamLouis, Sterenn, Fin, Seb, Manon, Emile, Lola, and the entire comms crewMylène, Gregoire, Marie-Astrid, Guillaume, Coline, and Davidwere the backbone of this project. Young and hungry, they tackled each challenge with a drive to prove themselves. Upwind wasnt just about sailors; it was about the entire support network, offering new opportunities for talent across all departments. 

© David Lupion / UpWind by MerConcept  

© David Lupion / UpWind by MerConcept  

Success isnt always just about results

The racing season was a whirlwind: inshore grand prix events in Saint-Malo, La Baule, and Sainte-Maxime; the transatlantic Route de Terranova; and the Med Max, where Elodie and Anne-Claire sailed double-handed. Conditions were demanding and varied, with each race throwing something new at us. We had our share of frustrations, challenges, and pure joy. 

Every day out there was a lesson in growth and resilience, fueling us to perform better the next time. Our toughest racethe Transat from Newfoundland back to Francepushed us to the limit. Elodie and Anne-Claire fought hard in the Med Max and at times were the fastest boat in the fleet, showing just how competitive this team could be. And in St. Maxime, we finally tasted the podiumjust enough to make us crave more for 2025.

In sport, theres often relentless pressure to deliver results, to hit the performance numbers, to win at any cost. But sometimes, success is about something deeper. Without winning a single event, Upwind by MerConcept became one of the most meaningful programmes of 2024, paving a path for women from around the world to compete at the highest level in multihull sailing. We showed the power of equity in sport, giving these incredible athletes the chance to focus on performance without juggling jobs. And maybe most importantly, we inspired a new generation. When we stepped onto  the dock after the transat, the biggest joy was to see the young girls who had come down to welcome us looking at us as examples, seeing us wet and tired but still happy and proud to cross the ocean ripping at 30 knots. We gave them representation, we gave them something that they hadnt seen before - we gave them hope for the future.

Heres to 2025 and all that lies ahead: I cant wait to rejoin the team after the winter break and get back on the water with this incredible group of people!

Andiamo!

Francesca 'Frankie' Clapcich

(she/her)

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