A nail-biting finish rewarded Ambrogio Beccaria in his first solo voyage aboard an IMOCA 60. Amid technical issues, dives into the icy waters of the North Atlantic, and decisive tactical choices, the Milanese sailor steered“Allagrande Mapei”to victory in the Vendée Arctique, becoming the first Italian to win a solo race in the IMOCA class. Francesca Clapcich also achieved an excellent result, finishing in fifth place.
Some victories have a significance that goes beyond the sporting result. The victory achieved by Ambrogio Beccaria at the Vendée Arctique undoubtedly falls into this category. In his first solo race on an IMOCA 60, the Milanese sailor delivered a performance destined to go down in the history of ocean sailing.
At the helm of “Allagrande Mapei,” Beccaria tackled and overcame one of the most demanding challenges on the offshore racing calendar, emerging victorious after more than a week of extreme sailing. No Italian had ever managed to win a solo race in the IMOCA class, the premier category of ocean racing featuring the boats of the Vendée Globe. The success of the sailor, born in 1991, represents an important milestone in view of future major challenges, starting with the next solo round-the-world race.
An obstacle course
The road to victory was anything but easy. Right from the start of the race, Beccaria had to deal with a serious problem with the boat’s electrical system—a setback that could have jeopardized the entire voyage.
A few days later, off the coast of Scotland, another critical moment arose: a fishing net became entangled around the keel, drastically slowing the boat down. To resolve the issue, the sailor dived several times into the icy waters of the North Atlantic, managing to free the boat but losing about two precious hours. Despite everything, he managed to stay in contact with the fleet leaders, continuing his advance toward the high latitudes.
The comeback and the decisive tactical move
After crossing the Arctic Circle, the situation changed. With conditions more favorable for downwind sailing, “Allagrande Mapei” began to show its full potential, allowing Beccaria to gradually close the gap on his rivals.
The decisive phase of the race, however, took place near the British Isles. While many of his rivals chose the most direct route through the channel between Ireland and Great Britain, the Italian sailor preferred to round Ireland from the west. A more cautious decision, intended to preserve the boat under particularly challenging conditions, which proved to be the right move and allowed him to gain ground on his direct competitors.
A nail-biting finale
The final hours of the Vendée Arctique kept spectators on the edge of their seats right up to the last mile. The situation was further complicated by the penalty imposed on French sailor Élodie Bonafous for entering a no-sailing zone.
Taking advantage of favorable weather conditions, Beccaria managed to close the gap on Britain’s Sam Goodchild, setting the stage for a tight final showdown. In the final miles toward Les Sables-d’Olonne, every tactical decision and every shift in the wind proved decisive. In the end, it was the Italian sailor who prevailed, rewarded for his impeccable management of the race’s closing stages.
In Memory of Charlie Dalin
This edition of the Vendée Arctique was also marked by a particularly tragic moment for the sailing world: the death of Charlie Dalin during the race.
For Beccaria and all the skippers competing in the race, continuing to sail and giving it their all right up to the finish line was a genuine way to pay tribute to one of the great figures of modern ocean sailing and to the sporting values he has always embodied.
Francesca Clapcich also achieved a great result
Ambrogio Beccaria’s outstanding performance was not the only source of pride for Italy. Francesca Clapcich also proved her worth with a top-notch performance.
On board “11th Hour Racing,” the sailor from Trieste faced particularly harsh weather conditions, demonstrating great resilience and skill. Her fifth-place finish represents a significant milestone in her development and on her path to qualifying for the Vendée Globe, while also confirming her status as a leading figure in international ocean sailing.
Italy Takes Center Stage in the IMOCA Class
After covering more than 3,100 miles from the Bay of Biscay to the northernmost latitudes of the Atlantic, the Vendée Arctique has delivered a clear verdict: Ambrogio Beccaria is now a well-established name in the Class IMOCA.
This victory in his solo racing debut confirms the merit of the “Allagrande Mapei Racing” project and demonstrates that the Italian team has everything it takes to aim for the highest honors in ocean sailing in the coming years. Following this achievement, Beccaria is no longer just a rising star: he is one of the names to watch on the international offshore scene.
