A Successful Med Max for the UpWind by MerConcept Team
by MerConcept 14 Oct 03:59 PDT
16-20 October 2024
A successful Med Max for the UpWind by MerConcept team © Robin Christol / Med Max
Late last week, the UpWind by MerConcept team, consisting of Anne-Claire Le Berre (France) and Elodie-Jane Mettraux (Switzerland), finished seventh in the inaugural MedMax, a race connecting Port-Camargue, France, and Saïdia, Morocco.
After four days of racing through challenging Mediterranean weather, this all-female duo made a notable impact, competing vigorously alongside top competitors. The entire UpWind by MerConcept team expressed gratitude to former sailor Kito de Pavant for organizing such a wonderful competition in a stunning sailing region. After a few days in Morocco, the Ocean Fifty UpWind by MerConcept set sail back to Sainte-Maxime on Monday, October 7, for the Ocean Fifty Series finale scheduled for October 16 to 20.
Significant progress
As the season’s only double-handed race, the MedMax met the expectations of the 27 crews in the Class40 and Ocean Fifty categories. “It felt like the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre at Port-Camargue!” Anne-Claire remarked. “The MedMax team successfully created a friendly yet competitive environment, engaging local spectators. It was truly successful.” After competing without routing assistance for four days, the UpWind by MerConcept team achieved seventh place, fiercely contesting against leading teams in the Ocean Fifty class. “We’re delighted with this outcome,” Elodie-Jane said. “Especially since the Mediterranean demands constant adaptation. The weather shifts quickly and unexpectedly. This experience has significantly boosted our confidence.”
Sailing on an older vessel and having only started in March 2024, the UpWind by MerConcept crew continues to showcase remarkable performance improvements. Consistently seeking strategic opportunities, they held positions between 3rd and 6th for most of the race, and they can take pride in their performance. As Anne-Claire noted, “Beyond the result, we executed the race exceptionally well.”
Promoting gender diversity in ocean racing
The performance of the UpWind by MerConcept team during the MedMax signifies a major advancement for the crew and reinforces the broader mission of fostering gender diversity in the sport. Lorraine McKenna, sponsorship director of founding partner 11th Hour Racing, expressed satisfaction regarding this progress:
“We are immensely proud to support the UpWind by MerConcept initiative and witness the significant progress in empowering women in ocean racing,” McKenna stated. “Observing this talented all-female crew compete at such a high level and recognizing their rapid advancement throughout the MedMax underscores the critical need for creating opportunities for women in the sport. Their results illustrate what can be accomplished when inclusion and sustainability are prioritized on the racing circuit.”
Francesca Clapcich, the Ocean Fifty skipper who is also participating in the America’s Cup with American Magic, closely monitored the MedMax and the team’s performance from Barcelona: “I’ve been following the MedMax tracker, watching Anne-Claire and Elodie race onboard UpWind by MerConcept. They have been fiercely competitive, with moments where they were the fastest in the fleet. The Mediterranean poses tough conditions, mentally and physically, yet they raced brilliantly, demonstrating their command of the boat’s performance. They should be immensely proud, along with the rest of the MerConcept team preparing the boat for racing, enabling Anne-Claire and Elodie to excel throughout.”
“I am preparing for the first Puig Women’s America’s Cup for the New York Yacht Club American Magic team while following the racing from Barcelona. Racing begins Saturday, and everything is going well with ample time on the water. This year has been quite hectic; after the America’s Cup concludes, I will head to meet the UpWind team in St Maxime, France, for the Ocean Fifty Series finale. I’m eager to reunite as a team, catch up, and enjoy more racing aboard the UpWind Ocean Fifty. I look forward to being back onboard for the season’s final event and anticipating the 2025 season!”
Sainte-Maxime, the final destination
The concluding leg of the Ocean Fifty Series is set to occur in Sainte-Maxime from October 16 to 20. This event will provide nearly all female sailors involved in the project the opportunity to compete in both offshore and day races in one of the world’s most beautiful bays. “Returning to full-crew mode after getting so accustomed to sailing with Elodie and the added space during the MedMax will feel odd,” Anne-Claire acknowledged. “However, that’s the intriguing aspect of this circuit: it accommodates everyone! Some crew members will be sailing the boat for the first time, making it wonderful to share what we have learned this year during this final event.”
Joining Francesca Clapcich, Anne-Claire Le Berre, and Elodie Jane Mettraux for the concluding competition of the 2024 season are Sara Stone (US), Tiphaine Ragueneau (FR), Lisa Farthofer (AUT), and Michaela Robinson (ZAF).
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
