Solo mission: Clapcich aims to make sailing history with Vendee bid
April 15 (Reuters) - Italian skipper Francesca Clapcich has set her sights on a sailing first, announcing a campaign for the 2028 Vendee Globe that would make her the only person to compete in the sport's four most prestigious events.
Backed by 11th Hour Racing, Clapcich aims to complete an unprecedented career "grand slam" by adding the solo round-the-world race to her already impressive record that includes the Olympics, America's Cup and The Ocean Race.
"For this first attempt at the Vendee Globe I need a boat that has proven itself to be fast and also reliable," Clapcich told Yachting World magazine.
"We've chosen Team Malizia to be our Technical Partner as they know the boat inside and out and will be able to set me up in the best possible way for an intensive immersion into this world of solo IMOCA offshore sailing."
IMOCA racing is a type of offshore yacht racing featuring high-tech 60-foot monohull sailboats, often sailed solo or with a small crew in challenging ocean races.
Clapcich will take the helm of Boris Herrmann's IMOCA Malizia-seaexplorer after August's The Ocean Race Europe, beginning her qualification journey with October's Transat Cafe L'OR (formerly Transat Jacques Vabre).
The 36-year-old's sailing career already spans multiple disciplines, having represented Italy in the Laser Radial at London 2012 and the 49erfx at Rio 2016, before helming for American Magic in the 2024 Women's America's Cup and winning The Ocean Race with 11th Hour Racing in 2023.
French sailor Charlie Dalin won the 2024–2025 Vendee Globe, completing the solo, non-stop, unassisted around-the-world race in a record time of 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
11 hours ago
- Metro
AC Milan hit 'problem' in talks to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal
AC Milan have begun talks to sign Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to reports in Italy. The Ukraine international started just five Premier League games for Mikel Arteta's side this season and his campaign has once again been disrupted by a calf injury. With the rapid rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly in the first team, Arsenal are open to selling Zinchenko this summer. According to Sky Italy, AC Milan have already made an approach for Zinchenko as they are in the market to replace Theo Hernandez, who has turned down a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and is in talks to join Atletico Madrid. AC Milan have yet to reach an agreement over a fee with Arsenal, while Zinchenko's £150,000-a-week salary is also an issue for the Italian side, who finished eighth in Serie A this season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Zinchenko has made 91 appearances for Arsenal following his £32 million move from Manchester City three years ago. Elsewhere, reports in Portugal claimed on Wednesday that Arsenal have held fresh talks with Viktor Gyokeres' agent over a deal for the Sporting CP striker. More Trending CNN Portugal and Portuguese newspaper Record reported on Wednesday evening that Arsenal's hierarchy met with Gyokeres' representative, Hasan Cetinkaya, on Wednesday and an official offer from the Gunners is now expected. CNN Portugal reporter Nuno Farinha said: 'Arsenal are the club that Gyokeres has wanted from the very beginning. 'Gyokeres wants to play for Arsenal, he has stated this desire very openly to his agent. 'Officially, there has not been an offer yet, but there have been many contacts. This time, it seems that there will be [an offer].' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Man Utd beat Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea to sign highly-rated Southampton prospect MORE: Liverpool eyeing move for £100m PSG forward after record Florian Wirtz deal MORE: Tottenham, Aston Villa and Newcastle in race to sign £25m Manchester United star on loan
Time Out
15 hours ago
- Time Out
You can eat a tasting menu right on the NASCAR Chicago race track this summer
What's more thrilling than a high-speed NASCAR race? How about carb-loading right where the cars take off? This summer, Chicago Gourmet is rolling out one of its most daring (and delicious) experiences yet: a five-course Italian tasting menu served smack on the NASCAR Chicago Street Race track. On Wednesday, July 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the race's start/finish line will transform into the city's most unexpected fine-dining venue, blending Michelin-caliber cuisine with pit-lane vibes. As part of the Chicago Gourmet Festival's new 'Culinary World Series,' the event marks a high-octane kickoff to the city's biggest food celebration and a once-in-a-lifetime chance to toast with wine where tires usually burn rubber. The chef lineup is stacked with Chicago stars, including Fabio Viviani (Siena Tavern, Bar Siena), Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno), Joe Frillman and Leigh Omilinsky (Daisies) and Steve Maak (Levy Restaurants). The night's theme: bold Italian flavors, dished out trackside with flair. Diners can expect signature race-day cocktails from Jose Cuervo (the official tequila of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, naturally) and a "Cup Series" of wine pairings from legendary Italian winery Marchesi Antinori. There's even an emcee—culinary personality, Catherine De Orio—to steer the evening along. Tickets cost $250 per person, and proceeds benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the state's hospitality workforce. This isn't Chicago Gourmet's only sports-forward event this year. Friday, July 25, brings a Duck Dog face-off at the Crosstown Classic, and Wednesday, August 20 features led by chefs from Virtue.
Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Three killer holes at Oakmont including one that cost Tiger Woods a US Open as Rory McIlroy and Co face savage test
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WELCOME to the torture chamber hosting the world's top stars for the next four days, as the US Open comes to Oakmont for a record tenth time. Some holes are as notorious as the players are famous, with hot favourite Scottie Scheffler calling it 'probably the hardest golf course that we'll play - maybe ever". 11 English ace Justin Rose gets down to business in practice Credit: Alamy 11 Scottie Scheffler is the favourite after three wins in four tournaments Credit: Alamy 11 Bryson DeChambeau asked for patience as he signed autographs Credit: Reuters 11 It's three and far from easy for players at Oakmont this week Back in 2007 legend Tiger Woods took one look at the notorious Church Pew bunker that splits the third and fourth fairways - a 100 yard long stretch of sand featuring 12 three foot high grass ridges - and decided he wanted nothing to do with it. However, reigning champion Bryson DeChambeau will hope to find big-hitting answers. And world no.2 Rory McIlroy aims to build on his maiden Masters triumph. But here's a look at three of the toughest holes any golfer could face - plus the verdict of players on the ominous Oakmont course. Hole 3 (par 4 - 462 yards) THIS difficult par-four provides the first sight of the massive Church Pews bunker down the left-hand side of the fairway. And if you steer too far wide of it, there is a row of deep bunkers down the right waiting to gobble up balls. Rated as one of the toughest holes on the course — just ask Tiger Woods. He made his only double-bogey here in 2007 and ended up finishing one shot behind eventual winner Angel Cabrera. 11 DeChambeau hailed his US Open glory at Pinehurst last year Credit: AP 11 Tiger Woods famously found trouble at Oakmont in 2007 Credit: Getty BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Hole 4 (par 5 - 611 yards) ONE of only two par-fives and considered a must-birdie hole as it is shorter than the 12th — which can play anything from 632 to 684 yards. Church Pews bunker is in play down the left. Going for the green in two means taking on a long, blind shot. DeChambeau and Rose's response to how club golfers would cope at Oakmont US Open course Hole 8 (par 3 - 289 yards) THIS is where The Beast — as Oakmont is known — really shows its teeth. It usually plays into the wind, so most will have to reach for the driver. Johnny Miller made his only bogey when he shot a course-record 63 on his way to the 1973 US Open here. He said it felt like a par! Scheffler's "hardest ever" verdict on the course is more than matched by the assessment of fellow superstar players. Double UPSGA champ Justin Thomas says 'you can look stupid pretty fast' at the US Open venue, and reckons it will 'psyche a lot of guys out before they hit a shot'. But another double Major winner, Xander Schauffele - regarded as a robot at churning out great US rounds after finishing inside the top 15 in all eight attempts - confessed: 'Maybe I'm just sick to enjoy the challenge." 11 DeChambeau watches his practice putt on the 14th green Credit: Getty 11 Scheffler putts on the same hole on the tournament eve Credit: Shutterstock Editorial But is all the talk about this 7,531 yards par 70 being the toughest course on the planet justified? In the words of Dustin Johnson, who won here in 2016: 'Hell, yeah!' Johnson finished four under par nine years ago, on a course playing much easier than usual, because so much rain fell it was nicknamed 'Soakmont'. But only three other players in the 156 man field finished below par - all on one under - and 14 of the 18 holes played above par. Eight of them featured in the top fifty hardest holes among the 990 used on the PGA Tour that year. That did not compare to what happened at the previous US Open at Oakmont, in 2007. That year all EIGHTEEN holes played over par. Angel Cabrera won at five over, a shot clear of Jim Furyk and Woods, who felt he played great that week. Meanwhile, Woods' Pew peril led to caddie Steve Williams suggesting he should throw a few balls in there so Woods could practice escaping from the trap. Woods shook his head and replied: "No way. I don't practice negativity. I'm just going to avoid it. I'll hit away from it every day." The hole that strikes most terror in competitors' hearts is the 289 yards par three eighth, which is likely to be pushed back beyond 300 yards at least once this week. He did, but still only managed to break par once on his way to runners-up spot. But the hole that strikes most terror into the hearts of the competitors is the fearsome 289 yards par three eighth, which is likely to be pushed back beyond the 300 yards mark at least once this week. World No 4 Collin Morikawa did not realise it was a par three the first time he played it in practice. He explained: 'I completely forgot that that was the long par three, and I honestly asked Joe, my caddie, and everyone in the group, do you go for this par four or do you lay up? 'Now that I know it's a par three, I recommend going for it! I'll probably hit driver or three wood and hopefully hit the green. If not, make up-and-down. 'Honestly. it's a hole I'll take four pars right now, and walk away.' Schauffele reckons some players will have bruised egos about using a driver on a par three, but said they had to 'suck it up' to give themselves the best chance of making par. And he reckons TV viewers will love the carnage they are likely to witness over the next few days. He explained: 'I don't think people turn the TV on this week to watch some of the guys just hit like a 200 yard shot onto the green, you know what I mean? 'I think they turn on the U.S. Open to see a guy shooting eight over, and watch him suffer. That's part of the enjoyment of the U.S. Open for viewers. 'My attitude is that you have to stay as calm as possible because we're all going to struggle at times. Maybe that's why I've done so well in this tournament. 11 Sam Burns is a figure of focus as he practices Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 'I think I look pretty level-headed when I play, but internally I might be absolutely just thrashing myself. That happens to me more than you might think. 'I think truly having a good attitude is accepting what just happened, and allowing yourself to be pretty much at zero to hit the next shot.' Thomas believes most of the field will not be able to handle the setbacks as well as the top players. He said: 'Being perfectly honest, and very selfish, I hope it psyches a lot of players out. This course requires tons of patience and discipline, and not everyone can get a handle on that. 'Above all else, Oakmont tests the mental aspect of your game. But with tight fairways, deep rough, difficult bunkers and lightning fast greens it also tests you to the limit technically too. 'If you just get lazy - like on any drive, any wedge shot, any chip, any putt - you can look stupid pretty fast. 'But I understand this place is hard. I don't need to read articles, or I don't need to hear horror stories. I've played it. I know it's difficult." So sit back and enjoy the ride. It is going to be a bumpy one. 11 Collin Morikawa took a snap of Gary Woodland's club Credit: Reuters
