WELCOME TO OPEN OCEAN RACING
In 2020, Francesca Clapcich (Fearless – State Street Marathon Sailing) and Jesse Fielding (Opportunity– State Street Marathon Sailing), formed the State Street Marathon Sailing Team with the support of State Street Bank and Trust. In 2021, they competed in the Solo MaÎtre Coq, Tour Bretagne Voile (Double-Handed), Solo Guy Cotten and the 52nd edition of La Solitaire du Figaro. The following race reports were compiled by Pamela Lee for Open Ocean Racing during the La Solitaire Du Figaro. This legendary race was comprised of 4 legs equalling approximately 2,500 miles of race course. They are the only U.S. flagged boats to have ever raced in the highly competitive Figaro 3 season to date.
SAIL NEWPORT
Challenger Lecture Series
JESSE FIELDING AND FRANCESCA CLAPCICH
MARCH 08, 2022 | 6:00 P.M. — 7:00 P.M.
Watch the latest Sail Newport Challenger Lecture Series with Jesse Fielding and Francesca Clapcich. In 2021, they were the only U.S. flagged boats to have ever raced in the legendary La Solitaire du Figaro. The Solitaire is comprised of 4 legs equalling approximately 2,500 miles of race course. They get to chatting with Brad Reed about what pushed them to endure days at sea, tricky maneuvering along the coast of France, and the challenge to their physical and mental strength competing against some of the best sailors on the international racing circuit.
PRESENTED BY:
PHOTO CREDIT | ©CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI / LA SOLITAIRE DU FIGARO
PHOTO CREDIT | ©CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI / LA SOLITAIRE DU FIGARO
PHOTO CREDIT | ©CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI / LA SOLITAIRE DU FIGARO
MEDIA FEATURES
AUDIO FEATURE
September 6, 2021
"I rounded the mark at the Isle of Wight with a large group of boats, which was very intense, in the middle of the night, for a rookie like me."
Audio Courtesy of ©La Solitaire du Figaro
Photo credit: ©Christophe Breschi / La Solitaire du Figaro
PRESS FEATURE
September 7, 2021 : : BY PAMELA LEE
The second leg of the La Solitaire du Figaro 2021 is done. Confronting the tidal gates, shifting winds and rocky headlands of northern Brittany and Normandie, this “classic” Figaro leg was grueling from beginning to end.
Web Feature from Sailing World Magazine
Photo credit: ©Christophe Breschi / La Solitaire du Figaro
PRESS FEATURE
September 3, 2021
"In a word [La Solitaire du Figaro]
is merciless!"
– Jesse Fielding
Article Courtesy of ©La Solitaire du Figaro
Photo credit: ©Christophe Breschi / La Solitaire du Figaro
PRESS FEATURE
September 9, 2021
"I had to dive under the boat and that did not help. It was a fishing net with lines which did a full wrap around the keel. When I backed up it was just moving with me. I was in the water for a while, there was so much current it was hard."
– Francesca Clapcich
Article Courtesy of ©La Solitaire du Figaro
Photo credit: ©Adrien Françios / La Solitaire du Figaro
PRESS FEATURE
September 13, 2021
"I want to make the most of it because it is the last stage. It is very special to me. Every time something goes wrong I get a little angry, but as soon as I get back to shore, once I have a rest, I want to go back."
– Francesca Clapcich
Article Courtesy of ©La Solitaire du Figaro
Photo credit: ©Christophe Breschi / La Solitaire du Figaro
PRESS FEATURE
September 13, 2021 : : BY DAVE REED
Francesca Clapcich and Jesse Fielding started out with a goal of an Olympic doublehanded effort, but now they must work together, in insolation.
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