Canada Ocean Racing has announced a significant acquisition, securing a state-of-the-art foiling IMOCA 60 yacht, now renamed Emira IV. This move signals a bold new chapter for Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and his team, as they set their sights on the highly competitive Vendée Globe 2028.
The vessel, previously part of the successful Groupe Dubreuil team, has a remarkable race history. It won The Ocean Race 2023 under the leadership of Charlie Enright and clinched third place in the 2024 Vendée Globe with Sébastien Simon at the helm. Now, Emira IV will carry the Canada Ocean Racing team into upcoming global events, highlighting the team’s dedication to their Be Water Positive initiative, which focuses on raising awareness about the global water crisis.
“This IMOCA 60’s race record speaks for itself,” said Shawyer. “Not only did Sébastien Simon come close to winning the Vendée Globe, but he also set the solo 24-hour speed record aboard this very boat. As we approach the next three years, I am thrilled to bring a yacht with this level of performance into the Canada Ocean Racing family.”
In its first season with Shawyer, Emira IV will compete in prestigious events like The Ocean Race Europe and Transat Cafe L’OR, offering fans and partners a preview of what’s to come. Shawyer, who has never raced a foiling IMOCA before, is eager to embrace the challenge. The advanced foiling technology, which uses large hydrofoils to lift the boat above the water for reduced drag and faster speeds, is revolutionizing ocean racing.
“This is a big moment for us,” Shawyer added. “Racing on a foiling IMOCA is part of our vision to compete at the highest level. It’s faster, more demanding, and will push me beyond my comfort zone. I’ve never raced one before, so there’s a lot to learn, which makes this journey even more exciting.”
Shawyer’s experience includes becoming the first Canadian to complete the New York–Vendée solo transatlantic race last year, where he finished 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, underscoring the performance advantages of modern foiling yachts.
Sébastien Simon, the former skipper of Emira IV, expressed pride in the boat’s new ownership: “This boat marked an incredible chapter for us, especially finishing in 3rd place at the 2024 Vendée Globe. It’s time for us to focus on the 2028 edition, and we’re excited that Scott and Canada Ocean Racing will continue pushing the boat forward. We wish them the best of luck and look forward to seeing it race under Canada Ocean Racing’s colors.”
Emira IV is not only a high-performance yacht but also a symbol of Canada Ocean Racing’s commitment to sustainability. The yacht was originally built for 11th Hour Racing and is one of the most environmentally conscious IMOCA designs to date. Its construction utilized renewable energy sources, bio-based resins, and recycled materials, reducing over 100kg of carbon fiber. Onboard systems are primarily powered by solar panels and a hydro generator, with 60% of the boat’s energy coming from renewable sources. The yacht also carries scientific instruments that collect essential data about the oceans, including temperature, salinity, mercury levels, and phytoplankton.
“We’re proud to continue the yacht’s sustainability legacy,” said Shawyer. “Our Be Water Positive initiative is about taking action, raising awareness, and driving change to address the global freshwater crisis. This boat not only gives us the chance to race at the highest level but also to contribute to vital ocean science.”
As the team prepares for the Vendée Globe 2028, Shawyer and Emira IV are poised to represent Canada Ocean Racing on the world’s toughest solo sailing challenge, all while promoting critical environmental stewardship and ocean science.
