The Skipper

Francesco Cappelletti is a professional Ocean Yacht Master with commercial endorsements based in Tuscany. He has delivered yachts throughout the Mediterranean, Western Europe and across the Atlantic and also worked as a charter skipper and sailing instructor. Before becoming professional he sailed the West coast of Italy and Islands in a 20ft boat without any electronics or autopilot.

Francesco says of the GGR:

After learning about the race, I found myself thinking how important the accounts from the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race have been during my training as a seaman. I used to sail without an autopilot or electrical instruments, and with only a Tilley storm-lamp as my light source. Sailing round the world alone in this basic way is a must-do-in-lifetime goal. I see the 2018 GGR as a chance to pay tribute to my core passion for the sea.

The Boat

Francesco has selected the sloop rigged Endurance 35 007 built in 1975 by the French shipyard Stratimer. He expects this rugged design will perform well in light winds and be one of the better suited for rough downwind conditions expected in the Southern Ocean. He particularly likes her spacious living quarters, sheltered cockpit and clean deck. Her refit over the 2017/18 winter included replacing her decks, reinforcing the bow area, converting her to a ketch and fitting new bowsprit, chain plates and rudder. Francesco used crowd funding to raise the money for her new masts. He expected to relaunch 007 and complete initial trials in the Mediterranean prior setting sail for Les Sables d’Olonne in May.

Website: https://francescocappelletti.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/francescoceanrace/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francescoceanrace/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6R8AVx2r1lc3nKuFouVlwg