Kamas sailor Francesca Clapcich to make history in Transatlantic Race

Photo: Eloi Stichelbaut / 11th Hour Racing

LE HAVRE, France — On Sunday, Francesca Clapcich, a Kamas resident and professional sailor, will make history as the first American woman to cross the start line of the Transat Café L’OR, a challenging 4,000-mile transatlantic race from Le Havre, France, to Martinique in the Caribbean.

Clapcich, 37, will co-skipper the 60-foot foiling sailboat, 11th Hour Racing, alongside British sailor Will Harris. The pair will spend up to two weeks at sea, racing nonstop and rotating through three-hour shifts around the clock, with just 30 minutes of rest at a time.

“The boat is pretty much a carbon shell with not much comfort,” Clapcich said. “We have a couple of bunks, a kettle to boil water for freeze-dried food, and no toilets on board. Life is simple, but you have to take care of yourself and your crewmate.”

For the Italian-born athlete—who has competed in two Olympic Games for Italy, represented the United States in the America’s Cup, and now lives in Utah with her wife, Sally, and their three-year-old daughter, Harriet—this race marks another milestone on her journey toward the 2028 Vendée Globe, a solo, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe often called the “Everest of the Seas.”

“I’ve always loved competition,” she said. “At 37, I’m still pushing myself and dreaming about these big events. The curiosity to explore new challenges keeps me going. Offshore racing is a whole different world from the Olympics, but the drive feels the same.”

Clapcich’s campaign is supported by 11th Hour Racing, a nonprofit organization based in Newport, Rhode Island, dedicated to ocean health and social responsibility. The organization’s mission—expanding from marine sustainability to include inclusion, diversity, and belonging in sports—resonates deeply with her.

“It’s special to have a sponsor that shares the same values,” Clapcich said. “This isn’t just about selling a product; it’s about working together to find solutions and creating belonging, both in sports and in the community.”

The Transat Café L’OR begins Sunday at 2 p.m. local time in France. Competitors will face heavy weather through the English Channel before heading south along the coast, rounding the Canary Islands, and catching the trade winds toward Martinique.

“Normally, it’s fast and beautiful sailing once you reach the trades,” Clapcich said. “Hopefully, after 12 to 14 days, we’ll cross the finish line in Fort-de-France.”

When she isn’t navigating the open ocean, Clapcich can be found teaching skiing in Park City as a Level 3 USIA instructor—a balance she says helps her recharge.

“Living in Park City is really special,” she said. “Skiing was my first love. When I’m home, I focus on being outdoors, spending time with my daughter, and giving back to the community. Teaching allows me to share that joy with people who have never seen snow before. It’s fulfilling and keeps me grounded.”

Motherhood, she added, gives her sailing career a deeper sense of purpose.

“It’s not easy being away,” she said. “But I hope my daughter sees that it’s worth pursuing big dreams, even when it requires effort and sacrifice. Every time I come home, it’s quality time. That balance is important.”

Looking ahead, Clapcich is focused on learning from her co-skipper and preparing for the solo challenges to come.

“Sailing double-handed with Will is a fantastic opportunity,” she said. “He knows this boat inside and out. I’m learning from him and thinking about the future. The Vendée Globe will be massive—sailing solo, nonstop, around the world—but I’m motivated to take it on.”

Clapcich invites the Park City and Summit County community to follow her journey online and join the broader mission of connection and sustainability that underpins her campaign.

“In Utah, there may not be much offshore racing,” she said, “but we share the same spirit—love for the outdoors, community, and purpose. We can all contribute in our own way, no matter where we are.”