Francesca Clapcich only Italian/American represented in the Figaro

Francesca Clapcich only Italian/American represented in the Figaro

Tour de Bretagne, Clapcich only Italian American in the Figaro

Sport

03/07/2021 - 10:54

We arrived in St. Malo for a couple of days and the atmosphere is incredible, everyone is immersed in preparing the boats and in the final preparations! I will be racing with my co-skipper Jesse Fielding, we represent State Street Bank on the Figaro 3 Fearless. Personally, I always enjoy being able to have the double American and Italian flags on the boat and our sponsor, being a global company, is proud of it! 33 boats entered, 66 incredible sailors, 7 nationalities (France, Italy, United States, UK, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland), various winners of  past editions between solo and double regattas, sailors who took part in The Ocean Race, Imoca series and class 40.

Everyone with a knife between their teeth and we will do our part. The Tour de Bretagne starts in St. Malo and arrives in Quiberon on 11 July after 6 short stages and 1 long stage (Monday 5 July) of 260 miles! We will pass iconic spots of Brittany such as Le Four, La Plate, Les Glenans with their treacherous currents and where every decision must be made with precision! It starts with a prologue Friday 2 July (the day does not score) in the waters in front of St. Malo.

 The whole caravan has to wait patiently for 11:30 before being able to leave the moorings and head towards the locks. It will be a beautiful image to see 33 Figaro 3 inside the locks waiting to go out into the open sea. Saturday we will leave for the actual start of the event! A stage of 33 miles from St. Malo to Saint Quay Portrieaux, a stage not long on paper but
full of pitfalls in the strong Breton currents !!

The weather seems complex, little wind, high current coefficients… we are expecting very hard fought and decisive races in the last meters! Especially in double, the dynamics on board are different than alone and you can always push the boat to the maximum.

Today we have the safety checks, the briefing and the presentation of the teams, a busy day that we have to manage as best we can to get to the races rested! Our goal for the TDB is to test our skills, speed and sails in view of the solo commitments of the season that will culminate with participation in the Solitaire du Figaro, where I will be the first Italian and American woman in the history of the regatta. A big step thinking about the future and other ocean dreams !!

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