TRAILBLAZERS: Francesca Clapcich on sailing the world and building community in Park City

“If I can use the privilege I have to help more people access the outdoors, feel safe, and believe in themselves—then that’s the real win.” – Francesca Clapcich

PARK CITY, Utah — Francesca Clapcich has sailed around the world—twice. She’s competed in the Olympics, raced in the America’s Cup, and most recently, stood on the podium as part of the winning team in The Ocean Race.

Now, from her home base in Park City, Clapcich is preparing to take on sailing’s most demanding challenge: the 2028 Vendée Globe. The grueling, nonstop solo race around the world will place her alone at sea for more than 70 days, unassisted. When she finishes, she’ll become the first person in history—regardless of gender—to complete sailing’s “Big Four.”

“The Vendée Globe is the ultimate test,” she said. “It’s physical, mental, emotional. You’re totally alone, managing your boat, your sleep, your thoughts—and whatever the ocean throws at you.”

Her campaign is backed by 11th Hour Racing, a Newport, Rhode Island-based organization that promotes ocean health and equity through elite sailing. Co-founded by Wendy Schmidt, the organization operates on the belief that the planet is in its final hours to protect and restore the oceans. In addition to supporting professional athletes, 11th Hour Racing works to eliminate single-use plastics at regattas and advocates for systemic change across the sport. For Clapcich, the partnership reflects her core values of performance, sustainability and community impact.

From Trieste to the Top of the World

Clapcich grew up in Trieste, a coastal town in northeast Italy where sailing is as common as skiing in Park City. At first, she wanted to ski professionally, but without daily access to mountains, her Olympic dreams shifted to the water.

She represented Italy in the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games before transitioning into offshore racing, where she quickly made a name for herself on the world stage. Along the way, she discovered a passion not only for competition—but also for connection.

“I’ve never thought about records as motivation,” she said. “I’m driven by the challenge. By asking: What can I learn from this? And how can I bring others along?”

Park City Roots, Global Vision

Clapcich moved to Park City in 2020 after marrying her wife, Sally Barkow, also a two times World Champion and Olympian, who has lived in Summit County since 2016. The move marked a new chapter: American citizenship, a growing family, and a deeper connection to community.

“Park City is the kind of place where you can live fully outdoors,” she said. “It felt like home immediately. Skiing, biking, teaching kids on the mountain—it’s all part of how I connect here.”

She now works as a ski instructor at Park City Mountain and volunteers with youth programs, including SOS Outreach and local mountain bike groups. Her focus is making the outdoors accessible to everyone, especially those who often feel left out.

“So many kids here—especially from working-class or Latino families—live in the mountains but don’t get to enjoy them,” she said. “I wanted to help change that.”

Believe. Belong. Achieve.

Clapcich’s 11th Hour Racing campaign carries the slogan “Believe. Belong. Achieve.”—a phrase rooted in her experience as an athlete and advocate. The idea is simple. Clapcich says, “When people believe in themselves and feel like they belong, they can achieve anything.”

The message resonates across her life in Park City. She’s open about being part of the LGBTQ+ community and sees her visibility as a tool for connection.

“There’s a lot of fear right now for queer people—understandably,” she said. “But community makes you feel safe. The people here have made me feel that way, and I want to pay that forward.”

A Race Bigger Than the Ocean

Preparing for the Vendée Globe means years of training, racing, and qualifying events across multiple continents. Clapcich will start her official campaign this October and must finish among the top 37 skippers in a global points system to secure her spot in the 2028 race.

She updates fans regularly via social media and a personal blog, where she shares everything from technical challenges to reflections on resilience and motherhood.

Still, her goals stretch beyond the finish line. “This is about more than me,” she said. “It’s about showing young girls, kids of color, queer youth—anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t belong—that there’s space for them. Not just in sailing, but anywhere.”

Looking Ahead

As she prepares for the solo journey of a lifetime, Clapcich is equally focused on helping Park City grow into an even more inclusive community. She’s passionate about outdoor equity and finding creative ways to close the access gap.

“I want the people who work here to also play here. To fall in love with the mountains the way I did,” she said. “Because if you love something, you take care of it. And that’s how we all grow stronger—together.”

To follow Francesca Clapcich’s journey to the Vendée Globe, visit francescaclapcich.com or follow her on Instagram @francescaclapcich.