US Sailing is excited to welcome double-Olympian and two-times round the world sailor, Francesca Clapcich, as an opening keynote speaker at the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, CA. With an impressive competitive sailing career and a passion for athlete development, the Italian/American sailor will bring unparalleled expertise, insight, and inspiration to the event.
“I’m honored to join the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum and share my experiences with such a committed community,” said Clapcich. “Sailing has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, teamwork, and leadership, and I can’t wait to share my story with others to embrace these principles in their own journeys.”
A journey of resilience and achievement
Francesca Clapcich is a two-time Olympian, having represented Italy in the Laser Radial and 49erFX classes in 2012 and 2016 respectively. Beyond her Olympic achievements, she has competed in elite events such as The Ocean Race, becoming the first Italian to win the grueling global marathon, with US entry 11th Hour Racing Team in 2022-23. Today, she leads the all-female team UpWind by MerConcept in the Ocean Fifty Series and competed in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup with New York Yacht Club American Magic.
Her journey reflects an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations of sailors. Clapcich is supported by 11th Hour Racing and together they drive solution-oriented initiatives, championing spaces where every individual can believe in themselves, feel a sense of belonging, and achieve their fullest potential.
Lessons from the Olympic stage and beyond
In her keynote address, Clapcich will share her experiences going from being an Italian Airforce Officer to competing on the world’s biggest sporting stages . Her presentation will highlight the importance of self-belief, mental resilience, effective communication, and leadership in high-pressure environments.
Drawing from her Olympic campaigns, offshore racing adventures, and leadership journey, Clapcich will explore how belief, belonging, and achievement can drive both individual and team success. She’ll share compelling information about the power of fostering a sense of belonging within competitive teams, offering actionable insights for attendees to apply in their own roles as sailors, coaches, and leaders.
With an ambition to compete in the legendary Vendée Globe – racing solo, non-stop around the world in a 60-foot monohull – attendees will hear more about what motivates her to take on one of sailing’s most prestigious ocean challenges.
The session will conclude with a facilitated Q&A, providing the audience with the opportunity to dive deeper into Clapcich’s expertise and personal reflections.
Join Francesca Clapcich at the 2025 Sailing Leadership Forum
Francesca Clapcich’s keynote promises to inspire sailors, coaches, and leaders to pursue excellence with purpose and passion. Her stories of perseverance, teamwork, and triumph will provide valuable insights for anyone looking to elevate their performance both on and off the water.
Don’t miss Clapcich’s inspiring opening keynote on Friday, February 7, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM—kick off your day with insights from a world-class sailor!
To learn more about Francesca Clapcich: www.francescaclapcich.com
To learn more about Sailing Leadership Forum: https://sailingleadership.org/
To register, click HERE
To plan travel, click HERE