Frankie joins the ranks of EcoAthletes
Francesca is the latest professional athlete to be announced as an EcoAthletes Champion, joining the global organization that brings together international sportspeople committed to leading action around the climate crisis.
Nonprofit EcoAthletes' mission is to 'inspire and coach athletes to lead climate action'. It provides its global roster of 151 EcoAthletes Champions - pros, Olympians, and NCAA student-athletes - with the tools to advance from climate curious to climate leader.
Lew Blaustein, the Founder of EcoAthletes said, “The more I learned about Frankie's story and values, the more I knew she would be an ideal EcoAthletes Champion. Leading on climate, people, and planet takes guts and, as an Ocean Race and future Vendée Globe sailor, Frankie has that in abundance.
“It also takes perseverance; Frankie always pushes forward, whether it be in a race or in driving the #ClimateComeback. It will take groundbreaking athletes, speaking publicly on behalf of climate action to influence millions of fans. Frankie is just that; we are lucky to have her as an EcoAthletes Champion,” he concluded.
Francesca is a passionate ally and advocate for diversity both in sport and the wider community. She recently launched, in partnership with 11th Hour Racing and offshore sailing and sustainability powerhouse MerConcept, UpWind, a brand new training hub for female sailors, based in Brittany, France.
“I recognize that I have privilege and I feel it is so important to use that privilege to create positive change,” commented Francesca. “I want to create a future where inclusivity thrives, barriers crumble, and every individual, regardless of background, feels seen, heard, and empowered.
“How can I go about creating this change? I’m starting within the community and sport that I love - the sailing industry - and I want to create actual change, breaking down barriers, being an ally, and advocating for communities that are less well-represented on the global stage. Building solutions that make not only the sailing world welcoming and safe, but also wider society. To do this, while racing competitively at the top levels of the sport, is something I’m so passionate about and grateful to do” she said.
© Amory Ross | The Ocean Race | 11th Hour Racing
Sailing is one of just a handful of sports (including equestrianism and curling) where athletes from all genders can compete on a level playing field in mixed-gender teams, but often female sailors are not represented in the biggest competitions and sailing challenges. “Too few female sailors are considered when it comes to selecting crews for the major races,” commented Francesca. “UpWind by MerConcept has been developed to support female athletes with the very best coaching and technical support to equip them with the skills they need to excel in our sport. I can’t wait to get going.”
Female sailing athletes from around the world have been invited to apply to be part of UpWind by MerConcept - a training hub based in the home of offshore sailing at MerConcept’s headquarters in Brittany, France. More information can be found on the UpWind website.
Francesca has been announced as the skipper of the UpWind Ocean Fifty, a fifty-foot trimaran, and will be leading a team of hand-picked female athletes to race in the Ocean Fifty international multihull tour in 2024 and 2025. This year’s tour includes five European Acts (events) and a west-to-east transatlantic race from St Pierre and Miquelon, the French archipelago south of Newfoundland, to Saint-Brieuc, France.
“My mission is to seek out and promote solutions that will inspire change and foster a community where diversity is celebrated and equality is the norm. The EcoAthletes Champions community brings me support and the weight of a movement behind me, from right around the world. From soccer to baseball, skiing to rowing, it’s a privilege to be part of such a diverse and welcoming sporting community,” concluded Clapcich.
Link here to find out more about Francesca and EcoAthletes.
