Canada Ocean Racing has made a major stride towards its future by acquiring the high-performance IMOCA 60, formerly known as Groupe Dubreuil and originally 11th Hour Racing’s Malama. The boat, now renamed Emira IV, will play a central role as Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and his team embark on their campaign for the 2028 Vendée Globe.
The acquisition of this cutting-edge vessel signals a new chapter for Canada Ocean Racing, as the yacht boasts an impressive racing pedigree. Under the helm of Charlie Enright, Malama secured a victory in the 2023 Ocean Race, and with Sébastien Simon at the wheel, it clinched third place in the 2024 Vendée Globe. These accolades highlight the boat’s exceptional performance and formidable potential.
“This IMOCA 60’s track record speaks volumes,” Shawyer stated. “Sébastien Simon was a strong contender for the Vendée Globe title, and he set the solo 24-hour speed record on this very boat. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled to bring a yacht with this level of performance into the Canada Ocean Racing fold.”
The newly rebranded Emira IV will carry the Be Water Positive initiative and participate in key events throughout the year, including The Ocean Race Europe and Transat Cafe L’OR, offering a glimpse of what’s to come for the team, their partners, and supporters.
For Shawyer, this will mark his first experience racing a foiling IMOCA—a technology that has revolutionized ocean racing. Foiling yachts, equipped with large hydrofoils, lift above the water to reduce drag and enhance speed, positioning them at the forefront of the sport’s technological advancements.
“This is a huge moment for us,” Shawyer remarked. “Our goal has always been to compete at the highest level, and racing on a foiling IMOCA is part of that vision. The technology is faster and more demanding, pushing me beyond my comfort zone. I’m eager to learn, and the challenges ahead make this journey even more exciting.”
Last year, Shawyer became the first Canadian to complete the New York-Vendée solo transatlantic race. He finished the 3,100-nautical-mile course in 14 days aboard Emira I, a non-foiling IMOCA. Notably, the race was won by a foiling IMOCA in just 10 days, further underscoring the speed and efficiency of modern foiling yachts.
Sébastien Simon, the former skipper of Groupe Dubreuil, reflected on the boat’s legacy and its future. “This boat helped us achieve a fantastic 3rd place in the 2024 Vendée Globe. It’s time to move forward and focus on the 2028 edition, but I’m proud to see Scott and Canada Ocean Racing acquire the yacht. I hope they push it to the same heights and enjoy it as much as I did. I look forward to seeing it in action again under the Canada Ocean Racing colours.”
In addition to its competitive prowess, Emira IV carries a significant sustainability legacy. Originally built for 11th Hour Racing, it is one of the most eco-friendly IMOCA yachts, incorporating renewable energy sources, bio-based resins, recycled plastic materials, and structural innovations that reduced the boat’s carbon footprint by over 100 kilograms of carbon fiber.
The yacht’s onboard systems are primarily powered by solar panels and a hydro generator, with 60% of its energy coming from renewable sources. It also features scientific equipment to collect essential oceanic data, including temperature, salinity, mercury levels, and phytoplankton.
Shawyer expressed his commitment to continuing the yacht’s sustainability legacy, emphasizing Canada Ocean Racing’s focus on the Be Water Positive initiative—an effort to raise awareness of the global freshwater crisis and promote meaningful action. “This yacht not only gives us the chance to race at the highest level but also enables us to support critical ocean science,” he said.
As Canada Ocean Racing prepares for the 2028 Vendée Globe, the acquisition of Emira IV marks a significant milestone in their quest to achieve both excellence in ocean racing and impactful environmental advocacy.
