Francesca Clapcich and Will Harris propel ocean research with buoy deployment in Transat Café L'OR race.

Francesca Clapcich, the renowned Italo-American sailor, and Britain’s Will Harris, have stirred a blend of sport and science in their participation at the Transat Café L’OR race. Navigating their 60-foot foiling IMOCA raceboat, 11th Hour Racing, they’ve added a significant contribution to the realm of oceanographic research.

Venturing 2,300 nautical miles into the 4,350 nautical mile race from Le Havre, France, to Fort-de-France, Martinique, the duo paused in their second place stint to deploy a Météo France Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifting weather buoy. The location for this historical deployment? Somewhere between the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.

But the duo’s scientific support didn’t halt there. Their racing vessel is also playing host to a small Argonautica beacon, part of an educational programme of CNES, the French Space Agency. Tracked by Argos satellite, the beacon will be monitored by over 200 classrooms across France, immersing students in real-time, hands-on exploration of Earth systems.

At the heart of their racing endeavour, Clapcich and Harris carry a deep reverence for the sea and a resolute commitment to echo its vibrancy through scientific education. Clapcich champions her Believe, Belong, Achieve campaign alongside, which propels promising societal change through advocacy, education, and collective action, particularly within the sailing and sports sphere. Powered with 11th Hour Racing’s patronage, these initiatives are a testament to the transformative potential of sports.

The race may end soon, but Harris and Clapcich’s actions will ripple through time, encouraging healthier ocean eco-systems and inspiring a new generation of ocean-loving scientists.