Advancing Diversity, Inclusion, and Excellence in Offshore Sailing
Preparing a woman to take on the Route du Rhum 2026 in an Ocean Fifty — while helping reshape the future of offshore racing through inclusion, transmission, and performance.
A pioneering initiative designed to promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainable excellence in offshore sailing.
Our skipper
Anne-Claire Le Berre
Anne-Claire Le Berre Takes the Helm: A New Chapter for UpWind by MerConcept
UpWind by MerConcept is proud to announce Anne-Claire Le Berre as the new skipper for the 2025-2026 seasons of Upwind, an initiative designed to promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainable excellence in offshore sailing created in 2024 by MerConcept with the support of Founding Sponsor 11th Hour Racing. This marks an exciting new chapter in the project’s mission to empower professional female sailors at the highest level of offshore racing. Anne-Claire steps into the role following the inspiring leadership of Francesca Clapcich, who has been an integral part of UpWind’s success over the past year and will continue to sail as part of the crew.
Meet Our Ambassador
After being skipper of Upwind by MerConcept for the first season, Francesca Clapcich continues to mentor the project as ambassador. The Italian sailor is one of the world’s most versatile sailors, having raced at two Olympic Games, twice around the world, is part of the US America’s Cup Team, and also has ambitions to race in the 2028 Vendée Globe, solo, non-stop around the world.
“Francesca is a clear plus for the UpWind project,” commented Cécile Andrieu, Racing Director at MerConcept. “She is a true trailblazer – the first Italian to win The Ocean Race – and she brings skill, passion, and determination to our team. She is also a champion for diversity and inclusion, and with her leadership, we will break down barriers and work together to devise a sailing community that is welcoming and open to everyone.”
Our Team
Mid April 2024, after receiving 120 applicants, MerConcept and 11th Hour Racing hosted the selection of UpWind by MerConcept in Concarneau, Britanny, France.
After four days of physical and mental tests, individual interviews, and on-water racing, seven female athletes have been selected to join the very first UpWind by MerConcept racing team.
OUR THREE PILLARS
Performance
A high-level sporting project structured around a major objective: the Route du Rhum 2026.
Preparation, discipline, learning, and commitment are at the heart of the program.
Inclusion
Driving change in offshore sailing by making it more representative.
Creating opportunities, increasing visibility, and developing new role models.
Transmission
Sharing, inspiring, supporting.
UpWind is built as a collective ecosystem bringing together sailors, experts, partners, and emerging talent.
In its first year, UpWind by MerConcept will provide women with opportunities for high-level performance offshore racing, both on the water and on the shore team. Our 2024 goal is to recruit six women to join our multihull training program, while also fostering a diverse team to support their racing program and facilitate learning within the offshore sailing ecosystem. We also have the ambition of accompanying one of them to the starting line of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe 2026.
Our Platform
Aligned with the Ocean Fifty boat and circuit, the project finds a natural ally in advancing the sport’s competitive landscape and opening doors to under-represented talent.
MerConcept’s involvement reflects a strategic commitment to diversity, enhancing the competitive landscape while ensuring accessibility to a greater number of sailors.
MerConcept’s Commitment
MerConcept, as an entreprise à mission (a legal entity in France, similar to BCorp status, where a business pursues predefined social and environmental objectives along with tailored sustainability targets), stands as a leader in the sailing industry, embedding sustainability, social responsibility, and environmental principles into its operations. The launch of this new Ocean Fifty project aligns with these core values, demonstrating a dedication to progress beyond the racecourse, catalyzing change within the sailing community for a more inclusive and sustainable future for everyone.
THE UPWIND COLLECTIVE
UpWind is not a single trajectory.
It is a collective made up of sailors, engineers, communicators, partners, and experts — all contributing to reshaping offshore racing.
Every role matters. Every journey inspires.
Working in partnership
11th Hour Racing joins UpWind by MerConcept as the Founding Sponsor. 11th Hour Racing is a global-reaching organization based in Newport, R.I., USA, that advocates for sustainability and ocean health, working to mobilize sports, maritime, and coastal communities with an innovative approach to inspire solutions for the ocean. The organization harnesses the power of sport to promote collaborative, systemic change through three primary areas of engagement: Sponsorships, Grantees, and Ambassadors.
THE 2026 OBJECTIVE
One solo challenge. A collective mission.
In 2026, Anne-Claire Le Berre will take on the Route du Rhum in an Ocean Fifty —
an extreme challenge in a class where women are still underrepresented.
But UpWind goes beyond individual performance:
👉 a team training and progressing together
👉 a growing community
👉 a new generation finding inspiration and opportunities
THE PROJECT IN ACTION
UpWind is also a year-round impact platform:
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🎬 A documentary mini-series exploring women in extreme environments
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🎤 Conferences, workshops, and speaking engagements (DEI, sustainability, sport)
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🤝 Collaborations with committed partners
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🧭 Training and awareness programs
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📰 Ongoing media presence and editorial content
UpWind by MerConcept
Advancing offshore racing.
Through more diversity, stronger transmission, and a new generation ready to take the helm.
Stories
Join the Movement
Apply to Join the Crew
We are seeking passionate individuals who share our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainable excellence in offshore sailing. Apply now to become a part of UpWind by MerConcept.