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Francesca Clapcich starts the 1000 Race

by Francesca Clapcich 3 May 12:35 BST 3 May 2026
Francesca Clapcich kicks off the 1000 Race © Maud Helfgott - polaRYSE / 11th Hour Racing

Today, at 1200 CEST [1000 UTC], Francesca took the start of the 1000 Race - her very first solo race on an IMOCA.

A fleet of seven boats left Port-la-Forêt, in Brittany, France, for a 1,200 nautical mile loop via the Fastnet Rock south of Ireland, then rounding a waypoint west of Finisterre, before crossing the Bay of Biscay and finishing back in Brittany, in Concarneau, roughly five days later.

"There are definitely a few butterflies now," said Clapcich. "The 1000 Race will be my first solo race on an IMOCA, which makes it extra special. I've had some great preparation these past few weeks, training alongside my competitors Elodie Bonafus and Violette Dorange with the Port-la-Forêt training centre, plus solid sessions with my own team working on solo maneuvers and really pushing the boat to her limits."

Follow the race here.

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