Francesca Clapcich and Will Harris Secure Second Place Aboard 11th Hour Racing in IMOCA Transat Finish

Fort-de-France port authorities logged 11th Hour Racing's IMOCA 60 arrival at 11:02 local time, registering an elapsed time of 12 days 1 hour 32 minutes 46 seconds for Francesca Clapcich and Will Harris and triggering routine pilotage and customs procedures for an international race finish in Martinique.

Finish and official times

The Italian-American skipper Francesca Clapcich and Brit Will Harris crossed the finish line under full sail to claim second in the 18-boat IMOCA fleet of the TRANSAT CAFÉ l’OR Le Havre Normandie. They completed the course 5 hours 47 minutes behind race winners Jérémie Beyou і Morgan Lagravière на Charal, whose elapsed time was 11 days 19 hours 45 minutes 46 seconds.

Route choices, trade winds and tactical moments

The pair led during the passage around the Canary Islands before Charal capitalised on a speed advantage in the steady trade winds to gain separation. A sustained tactical duel with the MACIF Health & Protection pairing of Sam Goodchild і Loïs Berrehar shaped the mid-Atlantic phase, but consistent sail handling and routing decisions allowed 11th Hour Racing to secure and hold the runner-up berth in the final approach to the Caribbean.

Notable milestones and historical context

• Francesca Clapcich is the first female skipper to achieve such a high IMOCA Transat finish since Ellen MacArthur came second with Roland Jourdain into Salvador de Bahia in 2005.
• Clapcich, 37, combines previous round-the-world crewed success—winning the 2023 The Ocean Race—with ambitions for a 2028 Vendée Globe solo campaign.
• The result underscores the increasing competitiveness of mixed-nationality pairings and the importance of shore-side logistics during long ocean transfers.

Logistics and port coordination on race days

Finish-line operations for transatlantic races demand tight coordination: pilot boarding windows, temporary race berths, customs clearance for international crews and equipment, and local safety oversight. In Fort-de-France, coordination with port authorities ensured a smooth berthing sequence and allowed teams to attend post-race protocols and media while preserving boat turn-around schedules for maintenance or charter commitments—details that also matter to travel planners and sailing tourists watching the event.

Implications for sailing tourism and on-the-water experiences

Regattas that finish in iconic ports generate immediate tourism interest—spectator vantage points, festival activity, and increased demand for charters and shore excursions. For destination managers, the arrival of IMOCA-class yachts is a logistics test that can translate into economic benefit through increased bookings of local tours, yacht parties, and coastal excursions. Observing the race finish in Martinique is a tangible travel experience for sailing fans and can be integrated into broader cruise packages or island-hopping itineraries.

Key takeaways at a glance:

• Precise port timing and pilotage are integral to race finishes.
• Shrewd mid-ocean routing can make or break podium positions.
• High-profile finishes boost local tourism demand for marine activities and cultural tours.

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In summary, the Transat CAFÉ l’OR IMOCA result highlights operational precision, tactical ocean sailing and the crossover between competitive yacht racing and tourism opportunities. Francesca Clapcich and Will Harris’s second place aboard 11th Hour Racing underscores the growth of mixed-nationality teams, the value of trade-wind routing, and the appeal such finishes hold for travel experiences. Whether you’re drawn to luxury adventure travel experiences, eco-friendly wildlife safaris tied into coastal stops, interactive online cultural workshops ahead of a trip, or booking a spot on a spectator cruise, firsthand attendance transforms news into memory. From online virtual tours to museum tours with live guides and exclusive yacht charters for events, choosing the right provider shapes your adventure and helps convert inspiration into action.