The Canada Ocean Racing team have completed a two and half month tour of eastern Canada.  The team and their IMOCA 60 ‘EMIRA’ visited Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City covering over 1200 nautical miles up and down the St Lawrence Seaway.  The aim of the trip was to introduce the new Canadian campaign to as many Canadians along the route as possible, engage with sailing clubs, youth groups, Vendée Globe and sailing fans and the media.

The crew opened up the boat for tours to give over 1500 guests a glimpse into the life of an ocean-going sailor.  The team took over 200 people sailing on the 60 foot race boat with a top speed of 28 knots being clocked up by one guests driving on Lake Ontario!  Skipper and President of Canada Ocean Racing, Scott Shawyer alongside his mentor Vendée Globe legend Alex Thomson, spoke at yacht clubs and to the media at each stop from Halifax to Toronto.  They spread the main message of the campaign that Scott Shawyer is building a new sailing team business that will see him take on the gruelling Vendee Globe in 2028 and is looking for support to assist with achieving the team’s goals.

A warm Canadian reception was felt the entire length of the St Lawrence Seaway and the international members of the team left Canada feeling like honorary Canadians!  The tour would not have been possible without the support of yacht clubs and sailing supporters, all of whom gave their time and energy to help promote the tour.

After a final weekend in Halifax as part of the CAN Foil week, where the team spoke to a packed room at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, the crew are headed across the Atlantic to Portimão in Portugal for winter training.

Thank you Canada  – the team will be back!  To follow the team live across the Atlantic head to our live tracker https://www.canadaoceanracing.com/follow/

If you are interested to know more about the team please email Hello@canadaoceanracing.com