The Ocean Race Atlantic: Francesca Clapcich takes lead amid rough seas

Crews participating in the inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Atlantic are facing extreme weather conditions as they cross the North Atlantic from New York toward Lorient, France. The fleet is currently navigating a demanding stage characterized by winds exceeding 30 knots and a violent sea state that has made sleeping, eating, and moving on board nearly impossible for the sailors.

Francesca Clapcich, skipper of the 11th Hour Racing boat, currently holds the lead in the race. She is followed by Paul Meilhat’s United by the Ocean in second place and Kojiro Shiraishi’s DMG MORI Global One in third. The leading trio has managed to pull ahead of a low-pressure system that has impacted the rest of the fleet.

Team Malizia, which previously held a lead, dropped to fourth place after striking an object at high speed, resulting in damage to its port foil. While the team has performed repairs and returned to a strong pace, its ability to use the foil remains limited. The race continues with over 2,000 nautical miles remaining for the competitors.