2025: A Year of Momentum for Canada Ocean Racing – from Scott

From the outside, it may look like we’ve been accelerating for a while, but the truth is, this is the first full year the campaign has been under our own control. And what a year it has been. 

It’s been intense – we’ve rebuilt the team, acquired a new boat, set up a base in Lorient, France, and entered the Rolex Fastnet Race and The Ocean Race Europe.  

It’s been rewarding – although we had to retire from the Rolex Fastnet Race, we completed all five legs of the 4,500-nautical-mile The Ocean Race Europe.  

And we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. 

Building the Foundations of a World-Class Campaign 

With Nick Moloney stepping in as CEO, we stripped things back to what really mattered: clear goals, disciplined execution, and the momentum to act quickly when it counted. That foundation allowed us to move quickly and with confidence. Here are the highlights from my perspective: 

Opening doors for the next generation
Our Youth Pathway Program supports young Canadian sailors who want to experience offshore sailing and explore possible careers in the sport. It also reflects something I believe deeply: that progress only matters if more people benefit from it. Mentoring younger sailors and giving them real-world offshore experience is one of the most meaningful parts of this campaign for me. 

Strengthening the relationships that make this possible
Partners like H2O Innovation put their trust in us, and it matters to me that we demonstrate their trust is well-placed. Delivering on our commitments, communicating honestly and creating opportunities for shared impact has been a priority from day one. 

Taking our message to the world
From Europe to the USA, Iceland to the Middle East, we’ve shown up in rooms and on stages where offshore sailing, and the values behind it, is still new to many people. These moments have reminded me how important it is to keep learning, keep sharing, and keep broadening the conversation. 

Building a team that brings out the best in one another
Everyone who has joined us brings fresh ideas, experience and a mindset of continuous improvement. Watching this group come together and deliver their all is something I’ve been particularly proud of this year. 

Creating meaningful experiences for fans and supporters
From boat tours to Pro-Am sailing and on-the-ground activations, we’ve tried to make offshore racing more accessible and more human. It’s important to me that people don’t just watch what we’re doing – they feel connected to it. 

Completing The Ocean Race Europe
This was a test of who we are as a team. The race challenged us, stretched us, and validated the work we’ve put into the campaign. It reinforced that our competitiveness is real, and that our ability to deliver partner value and fan engagement can stand on a global stage. 

Telling a more honest, human story
This year, we put real effort into sharing not just the highlights but the reality – the setbacks, the learning, the resilience. That’s important to me because this campaign isn’t about pretending we have all the answers. It’s about showing what it looks like to take on something difficult and grow through it. 

This campaign is bigger than one race, one boat or one sailor. It’s a long-term effort to compete at the highest level, to contribute something meaningful to the sport, and to champion the Be Water Positive message in a way that sparks curiosity and conversation. 

My Story, and What Comes Next 

Many of you have followed my journey – my engineering background, business experience, and the pull towards challenges that have forced me to adapt and learn. Shorthanded offshore sailing at this level is still relatively young territory for Canada, and I’m well aware that we are forging a path that is far from guaranteed. That’s part of why this matters to me. It’s an opportunity to explore what’s possible, to approach this campaign with humility, and to apply what I’ve learned throughout my life to something that demands both precision and courage. 

We share this journey because the feelings behind it – learning, adapting, pushing through setbacks – belong to all of us. If anything you’ve seen or read this year has reminded you of a moment in your own journey, I’m grateful for that. As we move toward the Vendée Globe 2028, I hope those connections will only deepen. 

Looking Forward 

We’re entering the next phase of this campaign with momentum. The work we’ve done this year positions us strongly as we move toward the Vendée Globe, continue building partnerships, and keep inviting people inside the journey. 

Thank you to every supporter, partner, follower and fan who believes in what we’re doing. We’re still learning, still improving, and still moving forward.  

In the new year, I’ll be sharing our plans for 2026. It’s a year that will challenge us in the best ways, and if following our progress nudges you to set a goal of your own, whether it’s about learning, improving, or trying something different, I hope you’ll go for it! 

— Scott Shawyer 
President & Skipper, Canada Ocean Racing