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Francesca Clapcich and the Bold Vision of Believe, Belong, Achieve
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Francesca Clapcich never set out to make history - yet time and again, she has.
Growing up in the coastal town of Trieste, Italy, her early experiences with sailing were far from the bustling world of professional offshore racing. Her first boats were second-hand, constantly in need of repair. Her clubhouse? A rusted shipping container. But within that tight-knit community, she discovered something far more valuable - a sense of belonging. It was a feeling that would shape her future and fuel her belief in the power of sport to transform lives.
Fast forward to today, and Francesca has quietly etched her name into sailing history. In 2022-23, she became the first Italian to win The Ocean Race. Now, with the launch of her latest campaign, Believe, Belong, Achieve, she’s setting the stage for another milestone.
Francesca is preparing to take on the formidable Vendée Globe in 2028 - a solo, non-stop, unassisted lap of the planet. Arguably one of the toughest challenges in sport, completing the Vendée Globe can take anywhere between 64 days and 4 months! Despite being a solo race, it takes a whole team to get any sailor to the start line, from performance metrics to communications - every person’s contribution within the campaign matters.
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Boris Herrmann’s Malizia-Seaexplorer will be rebranded into the colors of 11th Hour Racing in October 2025 in time for Francesca’s first race - the Transat Café L’Or. ©Antoine Auriol | Team Malizia
If Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing reaches the start line, she will become the first person to compete in sailing’s ‘Big Four’ events: The Ocean Race, The America’s Cup, The Olympics, and The Vendée Globe. But true to form, she isn’t driven by records. Instead, she’s focused on the journey and the opportunities it creates for others.
“I never started this project with the idea of breaking records or being the first to do something,” says Francesca. “That was never my main motivation.
“For me, it’s always been about the journey and showing how everything you learn along the way can make you better, even if you’re doing something for the first time.”
Through Believe, Belong, Achieve, Francesca is using her success to open doors for new voices in sailing while sparking collective action around ocean health and social equity. Winning matters, but in her world, creating space for others to be seen and heard is just as important.
“It’s really about education, advocacy, and collective action,” she explains. “I feel privileged to have this platform, and I want to share it with as many people as possible.
“Especially for those who don’t have that platform but want a space to use their voice and share their experiences.”
So, let’s ask the big questions about Francesca Clapcich’s next inspiring adventure…
Francesca Clapcich
“For me, it’s always been about the journey and showing how everything you learn along the way can make you better."
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Through her Believe, Belong, Achieve campaign Francesca is opening the door for new voices in sailing. ©EloiStichelbaut / 11thHourRacing
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*The below questions and answers have been condensed for text, please listen to the audio interview available on this page for the full conversation.
Why is belonging so important in sport?
“Belonging isn’t just important in sport—it’s essential in life. Sport plays a huge role in shaping people’s decisions and behaviors. Right now, it probably has more power than lawmaking to drive real change in society.
“Athletes who have been part of teams where they were valued, respected, and heard become better human beings. They become better leaders when they move into management roles or even own sports franchises.
“Sport is also a storytelling platform—it brings conversations about challenges, barriers, mental health, and injuries into the open. These were all taboos years ago, but now sport has made it okay to say, ‘It’s okay to not be okay.’ We’re all in this together, and we’ll support you until you’re ready to come back. That’s really incredible.”
What excites you most about this journey?
“What’s exciting is that this isn’t about selling a product. It’s about inspiring people to become better stewards for the planet and for each other—and that’s really hard because you can’t just put a price tag on it.
“It’s about understanding how much these issues affect your neighbor. Finding solutions is difficult, but that’s part of the excitement too. There will be challenges, mistakes, and lots of learning—but that’s what makes it a great journey.”
What does achievement mean to you?
“For me, achievement isn’t just about winning. I’ve never thought of winning as the ultimate achievement in life—it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
“When I’ve been able to fulfill the first two parts—believing and belonging—I’ve usually achieved good things. That could mean reaching sports goals, launching projects, or simply being happy with my family.
“I think a lot of achievements go unrecognized because we tend to measure success only by victories. But achievement is so much more than that, and I hope this campaign helps prove it.”
What are the biggest barriers to entry in sailing?
“The biggest challenge is access. First, you need to even know that this sport exists. Accessibility to boats and sailing clubs is tough—most clubs are private and require expensive membership fees. There’s a real lack of grassroots-level accessibility.
“In the U.S., for example, if you don’t come from a sailing family or a wealthy background, it’s really difficult to break into the sport. So access is the first big hurdle. Then there’s funding—sailing isn’t cheap, and if you come from a place where it’s not common, it’s even harder.
“Finally, once you’re in the industry, emotional safety is another challenge. People need to feel valued for who they are and confident in being themselves. We all have the responsibility to show that a more inclusive way of working is possible, and it costs nothing to lead by example.”
Francesca Clapcich
“I feel privileged to have this platform, and I want to share it with as many people as possible."
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In the 2028 Vendée Globe Francesca will race solo and non-stop around the planet in this 60-foot foiling monohull sailboat. ©Jean-MarieLIOT / 11thHourRacing
Why is your partnership with 11th Hour Racing important?
“What’s exciting about working with 11th Hour Racing is that their mission has expanded beyond ocean health and environmental sustainability - it’s about people too.
“Communities that are less wealthy and less involved in decision-making are often the ones most affected by climate change and a lack of clean water. It’s all interconnected.
“We can’t afford to look at these challenges as separate issues. Real change comes from tackling the entire system.”
How has your own personal journey inspired you to give back like this?
“I grew up in a small sailing club where my coaches and mentors believed in me more than I believed in myself. At the time, I didn’t even realize it. But looking back, I see how much their support shaped me.
“There were moments when I gave up on myself, but they never gave up on me - and that is pretty special. This is why believing is so important.
“Even when I left the Air Force to pursue offshore racing, most people thought I was crazy. They said, ‘You’re giving up a stable job?’ But deep down, I knew it was the right path - I believed in myself.”
Francesca Clapcich
"Belonging isn’t just important in sport—it’s essential in life."
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Francesca and 11th Hour Racing CEO Jeremy Pochman are driving real change. ©EloiStichelbaut / 11thHourRacing
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Francesca is using her platform and success to open doors for new voices in sailing. ©EloiStichelbaut / 11thHourRacing
The Vendée Globe will be the greatest challenge of Francesca’s career - solo, non-stop, and completely unassisted around the world. But for her, getting to the start line and finishing the race isn’t just about the physical test. It’s about proving that success isn’t just about crossing the finish line first, it’s also about bringing others with you.
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Hero image credit: Francesca Clapcich in front of Malizia-Seaexplorer - the 60-foot sailing boat she will race in the 2028 Vendée Globe © Eloi Stichelbaut / 11th Hour Racing
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