Francesca Clapcich (born 28 January 1988 in Trieste) is an Italian professional sailor, with World, European, and National Championship titles to her name. She is the only Italian to win The Ocean Race, the round the world yacht race.[1][2] She has competed twice at the Olympic Games, first time in the 2012 Summer Olympics, competing in the Women's Laser Radial class, finishing in 19th place.[2] At the 2016 Olympics, she competed in the women's 49erFX class with Giulia Conti, finishing in 5th place.[3]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 January 1988 Trieste, Italy |
With Giulia Conti in 2015 they won the Italian, European and World Championships in the 49erFX Class.[4][5][6] On 27 October 2015 Conti and Clapcich were awarded the Golden Collar sporting merit award - known as the Italian Sailor of the Year - the highest honor conferred by CONES.[7] In 2016, they came second at the European Championships.[8]
In 2017-18, she was a crew member on Turn the Tide on Plastic in the Volvo Ocean Race.[9]
In 2022-23 she was a crew member onboard 11th Hour Racing Team in The Ocean Race, the overall winners.
In January 2024 it was announced that Francesca would be powered by 11th Hour Racing as a sponsored athlete to join its global initiatives for a more inclusive and sustainable future.[10] 11th Hour Racing will power Clapcich to further advance her efforts in cultivating a safe, diverse, and equitable environment within the sailing industry.[11]
In February 2024 UpWind by MerConcept, the new all-female training hub for female offshore multihull sailors was launched and Francesca was announced as the skipper. MerConcept Racing Director, Cécile Andrieu said, "Francesca will be an exceptional skipper for the UpWind project. She is a true trailblazer – the first Italian to win The Ocean Race – and she will bring skill, passion, and determination to the helm of our team. She is also a champion for diversity and inclusion, and under her leadership, we will break down barriers and work together to devise a sailing community that is welcoming and open to everyone.”[12]
Francesca is leading the UpWind by MerConcept team in the 2024 and 2025 season of Ocean Fifty Racing.[13]
In May 2024 it was announced that Francesca had been shortlisted for two Italian Sailor of the Year Awards - by the Italian Sailing Federation and the Giornale della Vela.[14][15]
Francesca lives in Park City, Utah, with her wife, Sally Barkow, also a former professional sailor and Olympian, and their daughter, Harriet.