By Scott Shawyer’s own admission, he’s stepping into the deep end. After a solid solo debut in a conventional IMOCA, the Canadian skipper is now going fully foiling, fully loaded, and fully committed to the big leagues.
Canada Ocean Racing recently confirmed the acquisition of Emira IV, a current-generation foiling IMOCA 60 with a serious track record—one that includes winning The Ocean Race 2023 and finishing third in the 2024 Vendée Globe.
“The track record of this IMOCA 60 speaks for itself,” says 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.”
Originally built as 11th Hour Racing – Mālama for Charlie Enright’s American squad, the boat later campaigned as Groupe Dubreuil skippered by Simon. Now rebranded Emira IV, it becomes the centerpiece of Shawyer’s campaign toward the Vendée Globe 2028, and an important platform for Canada Ocean Racing’s Be Water Positive sustainability initiative.
This step up is about more than just a faster ride. It’s a leap into the world of fully foiling offshore sailing, where the pace is relentless and mistakes are punished brutally.
“This is a big moment for us as a team,” says 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’s first real taste of IMOCA racing came last year when he became the first Canadian to complete the solo New York–Vendée transatlantic race. Sailing the older, non-foiling Emira I, he finished the 3,100-nautical-mile crossing in 14 days—four days behind the latest foilers. The difference wasn’t lost on him.
That gap in performance was motivation enough to move forward.
Foiling IMOCAs, with their massive appendages lifting hulls clear of the water, are the cutting edge of solo ocean racing. Built with sustainability in mind, Emira IV incorporates bio-based resins, recycled plastic materials, and a structure that shaved over 100 kilograms of carbon fiber during construction. Onboard systems draw power from solar and hydro generation, pushing 60 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources.
The boat even carries oceanographic instruments to gather real-time environmental data: temperature, salinity, mercury levels, and phytoplankton measurements—all critical pieces of the Canada Ocean racing team's Be Water Positive initiative.
“We’re proud to carry forward the yacht’s sustainability legacy,” says Shawyer. “Our initiative is all about action—working with partners, raising awareness, and driving change by shedding light on global freshwater scarcity. This boat gives us the opportunity to race at the highest level and support vital ocean science at the same time.”
Meanwhile, Sébastien Simon, the boat’s outgoing skipper, is happy to see the IMOCA continue its career under new colors.
“It’s the end of a chapter with this boat, and it’s time for us to start a new one," says Simon. "We’re proud to see Scott and Canada Ocean Racing acquire her. I hope they push it just as hard and enjoy it as much as I did.”
First up for Emira IV will be appearances in The Ocean Race Europe and the Transat Café L’OR. It’s a busy season ahead, and Shawyer knows the learning curve will be steep.
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