The Ocean Race: Francesca Clapcich on dramatic moment during In-Port race – ‘I was hanging there’

Francesca Clapcich of the 11th Hour Racing Team has described the scary moment she was left ‘hanging’ onto the boat during a frantic In-Port event at The Ocean Race on Tuesday.

The Italian was thrown off the boat as she tried to clear a sail but managed to clamber back on board and emerged unscathed from the incident.

“One of the J2 sheets was stuck under the other sail,” she explained after the race.

“I tried to clear it, but of course there was too much load and as soon as I cleared it, I flew overboard.

“I was hanging there and then pulled myself up and kept going.”

Asked if she was OK after the incident, she smiled and replied: “It’s still attached, so that’s good! We just keep going”.

Clapcich helped her team to a second-place finish that extended their lead at the top of the In-Port standings by one point.

11th Hour are three points ahead of Team Malizia with one In-Port race remaining, and their advantage in that leaderboard could prove crucial as it is the tie-breaker in the overall table.

GUYOT environnement – Team Europe stormed to a stunning and unexpected victory, flying out of the blocks from the start and setting a pace that nobody could match to claim their first Ocean Race win.

A thrilling conclusion awaits, with Leg 7 taking the teams from The Hague to Genoa in Italy on June 15.

The Ocean Race will then conclude with an In-Port race in Genoa on July 1.

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