Francesca Clapcich's Bold Initiative Aims to Revolutionize Sailing Inclusivity

Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing launches its groundbreaking 2026 Purpose Program, aimed at transforming diversity and belonging in sailing. This initiative moves beyond talk, introducing actionable workshops, a certified instructor program, and extensive academic research to create lasting change. Francesca Clapcich, the first Italian to win The Ocean Race and an LGBTQ+ role model, emphasizes the need for sailing to be more inclusive: "I have spent my life trying to fit into sailing; now I work to make sailing fit more people." The program is rooted in the "Believe, Belong, Achieve" framework, supported by a study from Leeds Beckett University, which shows that when individuals feel they belong, their performance improves. Workshops will engage athletes and coaches, equipping them with tools to foster inclusivity, ultimately reshaping the culture of sailing for future generations.