Another step toward the goal

Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive will line up for the start of The Ocean Race Europe August 10, marking Canada’s first entry in the event.

Following a retirement from the recent Rolex Fastnet Race due to a hydraulic issue, the 60-foot IMOCA, named Emira IV, headed to Cherbourg, France, to undergo repairs. The team is now race-ready and focused on delivering a strong performance as the IMOCA fleet sets off from the start line in Kiel, Germany.

The Ocean Race Europe, in just its second edition, brings together seven IMOCA teams for a multi-leg sprint across Europe. For the Canadian entrant, it offers another step in building Scott Shawyer’s campaign capable of taking on the world’s most extreme solo race, the 2028 Vendée Globe.

“We have a very big goal ahead of us in 2028, and every race between now and then is part of that journey,” said Shawyer. “We’re proud to be flying the flag for Canada in this race, and promoting the Be Water Positive message, whilst building experience in one of the world’s most competitive fleets.”

The Ocean Race Europe will see a rotating skipper model on board Emira IV, allowing the team to test talent and broaden knowledge of the new boat across the campaign.

Supporting Shawyer are international offshore sailing veterans Pip Hare, Chris Pratt, Sébastien Marsset, and Brian Thompson, along with on-board reporters (OBRs) Georgia Schofield and Richard Mardens.

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Details: https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/

The entrants feature a team of five, representing at least two nationalities, with at least one female crew member, bringing together solo round‑the‑world veterans, rising offshore talent, and onboard reporters to share the experience.

Entry list:
Team Malizia (GER) – Boris Herrmann (GER)
Team Holcim – PRB (SUI) – Rosalin Kuiper (NED)
Team Paprec Arkéa (FRA) – Yoann Richomme (FRA)
Canada Ocean Racing – Be Water Positive (CAN) – Scott Shawyer (CAN)
Allagrande Mapei Racing (ITA) – Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA)
Biotherm (FRA) – Paul Meilhat (FRA)
Team AMAALA (SUI/KSA) – Alan Roura (SUI)

Race facts:
• Distance: 4,500 nautical miles across five Legs.
• Yacht-Type: High-speed IMOCA 60s, capable of reaching 25+ knots.
• Crews: 4 sailors per boat, representing at least two nationalities and with at least one female crew member. And 1 onboard reporter.
• Nations represented: Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, Italy, Netherlands, Great Britain, United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, Portugal.
• Historic firsts: First time racing into the Adriatic Sea and Montenegro finish.
• Tracking: Live GPS race tracker powered by ‘PredictWind’, with weather overlays and real-time routing.

The Ocean Race will begin again in 2027 using the IMOCA class boat, with two earlier events providing training and exposure to prospective teams. In 2025, The Ocean Race Europe will start on August 10 from Kiel, Germany and take a route south around the Iberian Peninsula and into the Mediterranean Sea. In 2026, The Ocean Race Atlantic will start in New York, USA and finish in Barcelona, Spain.