On Friday April 19, 2024, the UpWind by MerConcept project unveiled the names of those selected to take part in its 100% women's project on the Ocean Fifty circuit. Its skipper Francesca Clapcich looks back on the week of selection and the team's upcoming program.
How did you go about selecting the crew, and what criteria were used?
It's been a very long week! But at the same time, the work had begun long before, over the last few months, to find the best criteria and challenge the girls more than we usually do. Indeed, as a skipper, it's easier to do what we usually do, grab a few friends and set off sailing.
We didn't want rock stars, but rather a mix of experienced and young women. The main criteria were not just pure sailing skills, but also teamwork, on-board communication and physical testing. At the end of the day, if you've got the basics right, you can always learn something new. It's a mix of all these criteria. The face-to-face interviews ensured that our objectives were well aligned.
The big surprise was to see the overall high level. The process worked well, and that's what gave us the opportunity to see all this potential. We had to make a selection, but at the same time, it would be great if they could all sail. If any of the other Ocean Fifty teams are looking for talented women for their crews, we've got some names for them!
How did you come to choose Ocean Fifty?
I don't know whether I chose him or he chose me! I don't have that much multihull experience. 11th Hour Racing already had a good relationship with MerConcept. Together, they identified that there was a real lack of women with multihull experience. That's how the project came about. It's very interesting, even if it's sad to have to wait until 2024 to see the 1st female skipper of an Ocean Fifty.
With your Italian-American background, how do you see the world of multihulls and the Ocean Fifty?
It's interesting because I don't have much experience. There's no place like Brittany, in Italy or the United States, where you can find Ultims, Ocean Fifties, IMOCAs... all in the same port. It's incredible how alive the industry is. Initially, it's always difficult to feel at home when you join a team, but at MerConcept, I don't feel Italian or American. Everyone works together.
As for the Ocean Fifty class and its program, it's a great mix of offshore and inshore!
Was any specific work carried out on the UpWind by MerConcept boat, to adapt it to the project or the crew?
We got the boat quite late this winter. So we did a basic refit. Everything has been dismantled and checked, but it's not about performance. We're one of the first boats in the water, and the aim this year is to get out on the water and feel safe sailing.
Do you already have an idea of everyone's roles on board? Are there any plans to train with the other Ocean Fifty hubs, as in Saint-Malo, and how do you reconcile this with your role on the Cup with American Magic?
Unfortunately, we don't have too much time before the 1st act in Saint-Malo. With the Cup, there won't be a break until the end of October. The season is a big discovery for us. Among the sailors we've selected, we've made sure we have a mix of skills, with often two women who can race in the same position. Physical fitness is also important for the Grand Prix. We have a good group for each position. For my part, everything I learn on American Magic benefits UpWind, and vice versa. Flying at 40 knots in an AC40 teaches us a lot about communication on board!
