Team Francesca Clapcich – Vendée Arctique
After 24 hours at sea, Francesca Clapcich, onboard 11th Hour Racing, is currently in sixth place in the Vendée Arctique-Les Sables d’Olonne. She is heading northwest in light winds, but the journey to the southern tip of Ireland will be fast and challenging.
This morning, Francesca expressed positive sentiments as she summarized her first day back racing in her second solo race in the IMOCA Class, following the season-opening 1000 Race. She is currently preparing for the next Vendée Globe in 2028.
“I am currently in the post-frontal situation,” she stated. “I have just passed the front. I immediately tacked to the right, executing a significant right shift, and am now awaiting the wind to shift left again. Once it does, I can tack back onto port with the northwesterly flow. Then, it will be a lengthy port tack to Ireland.”
The Italian-American skipper appeared content with her progress thus far, although she acknowledged that the boats ahead, led by Sam Goodchild on MACIF Santé Prévoyance, were maintaining speeds that she could not match overnight.
“Overall, I believe the race is progressing satisfactorily,” she remarked. “I encountered some difficulties with speed during the night on this extended port tack. The boats ahead were achieving exceptionally high averages, and I was unable to match them. The sea state was quite substantial, and at one point, I encountered a reef and remained with the J2 all night.”
Currently, Francesca’s primary focus is matching the pace of her competitors. When the wind intensifies once more, she will endeavor to compensate for her four-mile deficit on Violette Dorange on Initiatives-Coeur, who is in fifth position, and Elodie Bonafous on Association Petits Princes-Quéguiner, who is in fourth place.
“The upcoming race to Ireland will present a distinct challenge, necessitating my utmost perseverance,” Francesca stated. “I am actively exploring alternative strategies, potentially altering the boat’s set-up and configuration. Notably, there will be a peel to the J3, involving a single reef and J3. While this maneuver may prove advantageous, its success remains uncertain.”
Having rested adequately overnight and recharged her energy reserves, Francesca is prepared for the building wind as the nine-strong fleet navigates the mouth of the English Channel and embarks on their journey towards the Fastnet Rock off the southwestern coast of Ireland.
“The subsequent days will be characterized by a persistent northwesterly flow, driven by a low-pressure system. This flow will gradually intensify as we approach Ireland,” Francesca elucidated. “Upon our arrival, the sea state will exhibit significant characteristics, with four-meter waves and sustained winds of 25 knots. Consequently, the primary objective will be safeguarding the boat from potential damage.”
Francesca expressed satisfaction with her performance during the Sunday start off Les Sables d’Olonne. She was tempted to join her Italian rival, Ambrogio Beccaria, aboard Allagrande MAPEI, who successfully navigated the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) north of the Île d’Yeu.
“However, I was apprehensive about potentially arriving too late within the TSS,” Francesca admitted. “Consequently, I refrained from joining him. He demonstrated a bold decision and achieved a notable gain at that juncture. Nevertheless, I managed to maintain a favorable position relative to the wind thereafter.”