Late last week, the UpWind by MerConcept crew, featuring the duo of Anne-Claire Le Berre (France) and Elodie-Jane Mettraux (Switzerland), finished seventh in the inaugural edition of the MedMax, a race between Port-Camargue, France, and Saïdia, Morocco. After four days of racing through the tricky weather systems of the Mediterranean, the only all-female duo in the event made a strong impression, keeping pace and racing alongside the top competitors on the circuit. The entire UpWind by MerConcept team extends their thanks to the former sailor Kito de Pavant for organizing this new competition in such a beautiful sailing area. After spending a few days in Morocco, the Ocean Fifty UpWind by MerConcept departed on Monday, October 7, to head back to Sainte-Maxime for the final event of the Ocean Fifty Series, which will take place from October 16 to 20.
Notable Progress
As the only double-handed race of the season, the MedMax lived up to expectations for the 27 crews entered in both Class40 and Ocean Fifty. “At Port-Camargue, it felt like the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre!” said Anne-Claire. “The MedMax team managed to organize a friendly event with a high level of competition, while engaging the local community and spectators. It was a real success.” After four days of racing without routing assistance, the UpWind by MerConcept crew finished seventh, battling alongside the top teams in the Ocean Fifty class. “We’re very happy with this result,” said Elodie-Jane. “Especially considering the Mediterranean requires constant adaptation. The weather changes frequently and abruptly. It was an amazing experience that boosts our confidence going forward.”
Sailing on an older boat and having only started sailing it in March 2024, the UpWind by MerConcept crew continues to impress with their rapid performance improvements. Always on the lookout for strategic opportunities, they held positions between 3rd and 6th for most of the course and can be proud of their performance. As Anne-Claire pointed out, “Beyond the result, the execution of the race went really well.”
Advancing Gender Diversity in Ocean Racing
The UpWind by MerConcept team’s performance during the MedMax has not only marked a significant step forward for the crew but also highlights the broader mission of increasing gender diversity within the sport. As a founding partner, 11th Hour Racing expressed their satisfaction with the progress made on this front:
“We are incredibly proud to support the UpWind by MerConcept project and witness the remarkable progress in advancing opportunities for women in ocean racing,” said Lorraine McKenna, sponsorship director, 11th Hour Racing. “Watching this talented all-female crew compete at such a high level, and seeing their rapid improvement throughout the MedMax, reinforces the importance of creating opportunities for women in the sport. Their performance is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when inclusion and sustainability are prioritized on the race circuit.”
Ocean Fifty skipper Francesca Clapcich, who is also competing in the America’s Cup with American Magic, followed the MedMax and the duo’s performance closely from Barcelona: “ “I’ve been glued to the Med Max tracker and following Anne-Claire and Elodie racing onboard UpWind by MerConcept. They have been racing really hard and there have been moments when they were the fastest boat in the fleet. The Mediterranean can lay on really tough conditions – both mentally and physically – and they have raced really, really well in a smart and strategic way, and it shows that they have been on top of the performance of the boat. They should be really proud of themselves, as should the wider MerConcept team getting the boat race ready allowing Anne-Claire and Elodie to push the whole way.
“I’ve been following the racing from Barcelona where I’m getting ready for the first Puig Women’s America’s Cup for the New York Yacht Club American Magic team. We start racing on Saturday and things are going well with good time on the water. It has been a very hectic schedule this year and as soon as the America’s Cup racing finishes, I’ll head straight to meet the UpWind team in St Maxime, France, for the last event of the Ocean Fifty Series. I can’t wait to be together again as a squad, see the team, and spend more time racing the UpWind Ocean Fifty. I’m looking forward to being back onboard for the last event of the season, and to the 2025 season!”
Sainte-Maxime: The Final Stop
The closing act of the Ocean Fifty Series will take place in Sainte-Maxime from October 16 to 20. This will be a chance for almost all the female sailors involved in the project to compete in offshore and day races in one of the most stunning bays in the world. “It’s going to feel strange to go back to full-crew mode after getting so comfortable with Elodie and the extra space on board during the MedMax,” admitted Anne-Claire. “But that’s the beauty of this circuit: there’s something for everyone! Some of the crew will be sailing the boat for the first time, and it’s fantastic to pass on what we’ve learned this year in this final event of the season.”
Sara Stone (US), Tiphaine Ragueneau (FR), Lisa Farthofer (AUT), and Michaela Robinson (ZAF) are the crew members joining Francesca Clapcich, Anne-Claire Le Berre, and Elodie Jane Mettraux for the final competition of the 2024 season.
2024 Ocean Fifty Series Schedule
- Act 1: Saint-Malo, May 22-26
- Act 2: Pornichet, La Baule, June 20-24
- Act 3: La Route des Terre-Neuvas, from Saint Pierre and Miquelon to Saint Quay Portrieux, France, starting August 16
- Act 4: Med Max Occitanie, from Port-Camargue to Saïdia Resort in Morocco, starting September 29
- Act 5: Saint Maxime, October 16-20
