NEWPORT – 11th Hour Racing Team has entered into a strategic partnership with MerConcept, a French offshore sailing company, the racing team announced Friday.
The team and the company will work on technical and performance aspects of 11th Hour Racing Team. The consultant group works with sailing programs on boat designs, new systems and training programs, among other things.
11th Hour Racing is headed by Rhode Islander Charlie Enright and Mark Towill. Both men are Brown University alumni.
The team and the company will also collaborate on legacy projects in France, including team grants to the Station Maine de Cancarneau and the Explore research incubator, the parties said.
MerConcept was founded by Francois Gabart, a professional offshore yacht racer.
As part of the collaboration, the 11th Hour Racing Team will spend time training in Brittany, France.
The team also recently announced it will participate in the Transat Jacques Vabre, a race from Le Havre, France, to Salvador, Brazil. The race starts on Oct. 27.
The 11th Hour Racing Team recently signaled its intention to participate in The Ocean Race 2021-22.
