Three sailors preparing for their first Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe share their journeys and challenges in a special Pos. Report episode recorded in Saint-Malo.
Episode 260 of Pos. Report
The 260th episode of Pos. Report was recorded in Saint-Malo in collaboration with 11th Hour Racing, featuring three sailors preparing for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. The episode focuses on Francesca Clapcich, Pep Costa, and Théa Khelif, all of whom are competing in their first edition of the race.Arrival in Saint-Malo
All three guests arrived in Saint-Malo about ten days before the race, a moment marking the culmination of months or years of preparation. For Pep Costa, this was the realization of a childhood dream, a detail he elaborates on during the interview.Shift from Olympic to offshore sailing
Francesca Clapcich and Théa Khelif both describe how their focus shifted from Olympic sailing to offshore racing. Clapcich competed twice in the Olympics under the Italian flag, while Khelif moved from smaller sailing classes like Mini and Figaro to the larger Class40 boats.Pathways to offshore racing
The episode highlights the different paths each sailor took to reach offshore racing. Clapcich's journey included involvement in the Turn The Tide on Plastic project during the Volvo Ocean Race, while Khelif benefited from programs that helped her transition into larger racing boats. Both also discuss the challenges of entering a male-dominated field.Cultural and language barriers
Francesca Clapcich faced challenges entering the French offshore racing scene, which had limited appeal in her native Italy. Pep Costa, who learned French, chose to move to Lorient to pursue his sailing career, highlighting how language and location played roles in their journeys.Ambitions for the race
The three sailors share their goals for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. Clapcich notes the growing presence of women in high-performance offshore racing, expressing optimism about future opportunities for female competitors.Broadcast and production details
The episode was broadcast on October 24, 2026, and features a soundtrack by EdRecords. Production and post-production were handled by Polaryse, with the episode available for viewing or listening online.Additional content and subscription
Pos. Report is produced by Sailorz, a media outlet specializing in competitive sailing. The show offers exclusive articles, in-depth interviews, and race results, with a weekly email newsletter providing updates and links to top articles from around the world.
