11th Hour Racing expands title sponsorship of Francesca Clapcich

Francesca Clapcich © Amory Ross / 11th Hour Racing

11th Hour Racing has expanded its partnership with professional sailor Francesca Clapcich (ITA/USA), strengthening its title sponsorship as she embarks on a groundbreaking campaign.

Her bold goal: to become the first woman from either the United States or Italy to compete in the 2028 Vendée Globe—the legendary solo, non-stop, unassisted around-the-world sailboat race.

If she completes this notoriously challenging event, Clapcich will make history as the first person to compete in sailing's "Big Four": the Olympics (2012, 2016), the America's Cup (2024), The Ocean Race (2017-18, and a historic win in 2022-23 as the first Italian to lift the trophy), and the Vendée Globe.

A proven trailblazer, Clapcich now leads Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing—a campaign that blends elite offshore racing with a mission to expand access to the sport and drive climate action within the maritime industry.

The team is embedding sustainability, equity, and social responsibility into all operations. By protecting the marine environment and advocating for coastal communities, they are leading on climate justice. Key initiatives include developing an Advisory Group, a Storytelling Platform, and an Advocacy Playbook to integrate diverse voices and drive meaningful change.

A five-year campaign for change

This partnership builds on a foundation established in 2024, reinforcing a shared vision: sailing should be a platform for opportunity, innovation, and sustainability. Through her Believe, Belong, Achieve campaign, Clapcich aims to break down barriers in professional sailing, inspire the next generation, and highlight the urgent need for environmental stewardship on the water.

To qualify for the 2028-29 Vendée Globe, Clapcich will compete in five transatlantic races and other key events in solo, double-handed, and crewed race configurations. To meet the immense physical and strategic demands of the IMOCA 60-foot race circuit, she has partnered with the highly respected Team Malizia, led by Boris Herrmann (GER), as her Technical Partner. Their expertise in high-performance offshore racing, boat optimization, data analysis, and race strategy will be invaluable as she embarks on this ambitious journey. Her team has also acquired Malizia-Seaexplorer, the proven IMOCA yacht that Herrmann recently sailed around the world in the 2024 Vendée Globe and secured third overall in The Ocean Race 2022-23, to serve as the foundation for her campaign.

After skippering UpWind by MerConcept, the first all-female crew in the Ocean Fifty Series supported by 11th Hour Racing, Clapcich will continue racing for the team in a new role through the first half of 2025.

Starting in 2026, she will take on a series of demanding offshore races to build toward the 2028 Vendée Globe. Her journey will include the Vendée Arctique, The Ocean Race Atlantic, the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, The Transat CIC, and the New York Vendée.

Leadership on the water—and beyond

For 11th Hour Racing, this is more than a sponsorship—it's an investment in the future of sailing.

"Francesca's vision for the sport is bold and necessary," said Jeremy Pochman, CEO of 11th Hour Racing. "She doesn't just race—she leads. Her relentless drive and passion have made her a respected figure in the sailing world, and her commitment to advancing equity and sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission. By expanding this partnership, we're not just backing a world-class sailor; we're supporting a movement that's redefining who gets to compete, lead, and shape the future of the sport."

Beyond the racecourse, the Team is introducing peer-to-peer workshops—led by Clapcich—to equip athletes, leaders, and advocates with strategies for fostering belonging within their organizations. At the same time, they are piloting a Sailing Instructor Program with national federations to reinforce this principle at the grassroots level of coaching and instruction.

"To have 11th Hour Racing's trust in me is an incredible honor," said Clapcich. "Sailing has shaped my life in so many ways, and this partnership allows me to give back—to the sport, to future generations, and to the ocean itself. 11th Hour Racing's commitment to sustainability and social progress is truly inspiring, and I'm excited to work alongside them to create lasting change, on and off the water."

Visit FrancescaClapcich.com to follow her journey and explore how the principles of belief and belonging can apply to your organization.