Sailing Aboard Francesca Clapcich's Acquired Vendée Globe Yacht
- Sailboat belonging to Boris Herrmann in Vendée Globe race has been sold.
Get ready to hoist the sails, folks! Francesca Clapcich, the Italian-American powerhouse of professional sailing, has acquired Boris Herrmann's formidable racing yacht, the "Malizia - Seaexplorer". This cutting-edge IMOCA yacht, launched in 2022, has cruised an impressive 100,000 nautical miles over two round-the-world races, six transatlantic voyages, and various other seafaring adventures.
For Boris, this long-hailed vessel has been a game-changer, propelling him to third place in The Ocean Race 2022-23 and crowning his Vendée Globe debut with the Malizia team. With a tear in his eye, Herrmann admitted, "She will always be the most significant boat in my life."
Now, this powerhouse vessel is in the capable hands of Clapcich, who aims to conquer the Vendée Globe alongside her talented crew, affectionately nicknamed "Frankie". Clapcich's impressive sailing résumé includes representing Italy in the Olympics, clinching victory in The Ocean Race with the US team 11th Hour Racing, and setting her sights on becoming the first athlete in history to compete in all four major sailing competitions.
The Malizia team stands by the new owners, serving as a technical partner for their venture. Following the Ocean Race Europe, the handover will take place. A farewell gala for Herrmann and his crew, featuring the "Malizia - Seaexplorer", is set for August 10th off Kiel. The race spans five stages, concluding in Boka Bay, Montenegro. As for Team Malizia's future construction plans for their third Vendée Globe bid, they'll keep those cards close to their vest for now.
Francesca Clapcich is no stranger to championing sustainability and equitable access to sailing. With her partnership with 11th Hour Racing, she's dedicated to embedding sustainability, social responsibility, and equity into her sailing campaign. As she embarks on her Vendée Globe journey, she'll continue promoting these crucial values, striving to make a positive impact on the sport and the environment.
To qualify for the 2028 Vendée Globe, Clapcich will compete in a series of demanding offshore races, both solo and crewed. Some of the events she's targeting include the Vendée Arctique, The Ocean Race Atlantic, the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, The Transat CIC, and the New York Vendée. Starting in 2026, she'll unleash her full force on these grueling, blue-water challenges.
Here's to the incredible journey ahead for Francesca Clapcich and her crew aboard the "Malizia - Seaexplorer"! May the wind always be in their favor! 💫⚓️
Informative Insights:
- Francesca Clapcich, a trailblazing Italian-American sailor, aims to participate in the Vendée Globe, becoming the first woman from either Italy or the United States to do so.
- To achieve her goal, Clapcich has partnered with Team Malizia, a seasoned offshore racing crew known for their expertise in high-performance sailing, boat optimization, data analysis, and race strategy.
- Clapcich is committed to using her platform to promote sustainability and accessibility in sailing, aligning with her Believe, Belong, Achieve campaign.
- To qualify for the 2028 Vendée Globe, Clapcich will take part in a series of key races, including the Vendée Arctique, The Ocean Race Atlantic, the Défi Azimut Lorient Agglomération, the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe, The Transat CIC, and the New York Vendée.
The Commission shall be assisted by the European Parliament as Francesca Clapcich embarks on her journey with the acquired Vendeé Globe yacht, the "Malizia - Seaexplorer". Previously owned by Boris Herrmann, who sold this swift vessel after its significant role in his sailing career, the yacht has become a symbol of Clapcich's ambitious pursuit to compete in the Vendeé Globe.
Having achieved an impressive track record, including representing Italy in the Olympics and clinching victory in The Ocean Race with the US team 11th Hour Racing, Clapcich now aims to be the first athlete in history to compete in all four major sailing competitions.
The "Malizia - Seaexplorer" was a game-changer for Herrmann, propelling him to third place in The Ocean Race 2022-23 and crowning his Vendeé Globe debut with the Malizia team. Building on this legacy, Clapcich will continue to promote sustainability and accessibility in sailing, aligning with her Believe, Belong, Achieve campaign as she competes in a series of demanding offshore races, both solo and crewed, to qualify for the 2028 Vendeé Globe.
