Shawyer to foil in The Ocean Race Europe

Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer has acquired a foiling IMOCA 60 – formerly known as Groupe Dubreuil and originally built in 2021 by 11th Hour Racing – for The Ocean Race Europe 2025 which starts August 10 in Kiel, Germany.

This yacht previously won The Ocean Race 2022-23 under Charlie Enright and took third in the 2024-25 Vendée Globe with Sébastien Simon at the helm. The boat is now renamed Emira IV and the purchase marks a bold new chapter for and his Canada Ocean Racing team.

“The track record of this IMOCA 60 speaks for itself,” said Shawyer. “Not only was Sébastien Simon a strong contender to win the Vendée Globe, but he also broke the solo 24-hour speed record in this very boat. As we look ahead to the next three years, I’m incredibly excited to bring a yacht with this kind of performance history into the Canada Ocean Racing family.”

Emira IV will take part in pinnacle events this year, including The Ocean Race Europe and Transat Cafe L’OR, with the long term goal of the 2028-29 Vendée Globe.

“This is a big moment for us as a team,” said Shawyer. “We always aim high, not just to race, but to compete at the top level. Taking on a foiling IMOCA is part of that vision. It’s faster, more demanding, and it pushes me out of my comfort zone. I’ve never raced one before, so there’s a lot to learn, and that makes this journey even more exciting.”

Shawyer became the first Canadian to complete the 2024 New York–Vendée solo transatlantic race, finishing the 3,100-nautical-mile course in 14 days aboard Emira I, a non-foiling IMOCA. The race was ultimately won by a foiling IMOCA in 10 days.

“It’s time for us to start a new one, to look ahead and focus on the 2028 edition, and we’re very proud to see Scott and Canada Ocean Racing acquire our boat,” said Simon. “We hope they’ll push it just as hard and enjoy it as much as I did. I’m happy to know that this boat has a new owner for the Vendée Globe 2028.”

Race details: https://www.theoceanrace.com/en/europe/2025

The Ocean Race Europe 2025, as the precursor to the 15th fully-crewed round the world race in 2027, returns following its debut in 2021.

Starting August 10 in Kiel, Germany, seven IMOCA teams will compete on a course with stops in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy before the final finish on September 21 in Montenegro.

Each entrant will have four sailors, plus an on-board reporter, with at least one of the crew being female while two nationalities must be represented across the race crew.