B&G joins Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing as official supplier
by Francesca Clapcich 3 Jun 18:15 BST
Team Francesca Clapcich © Meredith Rodgers / 11th Hour Racing
B&G®, the world leader in sailing electronics, has joined Team Francesca Clapcich Powered by 11th Hour Racing as an official supplier, supporting the Italian American skipper in her campaign to race in the 2028 Vendée Globe.
Clapcich's 60-foot foiling IMOCA, 11th Hour Racing, will be equipped with B&G navigation systems ideally suited to the high-speed dynamics of modern offshore foiling racers.
B&G, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026, boasts an unrivalled heritage in ocean racing: its systems have been onboard every single winner of the Whitbread Round the World Race, and The Ocean Race since the very first race in 1973. This expertise in the most extreme offshore environments allows B&G to develop navigation algorithms and auto-pilot systems capable of reacting in milliseconds, ensuring stability and performance even when boat speeds exceed 30 knots.
"To race solo at the highest level on a foiling IMOCA, absolute trust in your data is fundamental," said Clapcich. "B&G isn't just hardware; it reads the sea state and wind shifts with me. Having technology onboard that allows me to monitor flight trim and manage the boat with total clarity is a game-changer."
2026 marks a crucial stage in Clapcich's path toward the 2028 Vendée Globe, racing single-handed, non-stop, and unassisted round the world, as she transitions into solo racing through an intense racing calendar. Her season opened with the solo 1000 Race in May, and she will set off from Les Sables d'Olonne, France, on the solo Vendée Arctique on June 7. Her only fully crewed race in 2026 - The Ocean Race Atlantic - will see her four-person team race from New York, USA, to Lorient, France, before she switches back to solo mode and finishes the year with the iconic Route du Rhum race from St Malo, France to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.
Instrument reliability and data accuracy are decisive factors when racing at the limit, particularly when the hull is full foiling, and B&G's systems are not simply hardware components, but essential tools for interpreting true wind data and ensuring safe execution of maneuvers while at sea.
Matt Eeles, Product Director for B&G commented, "B&G is incredibly proud to partner with Francesca and her team. Her track record of success and breaking records aligns perfectly with B&G's DNA, rooted in performance, innovation, and a pioneering spirit. At the heart of this relationship is a shared passion for sailing, a sport that connects people to the elements and fosters a deep respect for the natural world."