BARRIE: One of the world’s most technologically advanced ocean racing vessels, the EMIRA IV, is scheduled to arrive in the Simcoe County region on Monday, June 8, launching a high-profile maritime campaign aimed at boosting Canadian offshore sailing.
The state-of-the-art vessel, which belongs to the elite International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) 60 category, will be docked at Collingwood Harbour throughout the summer season. The municipal government of Collingwood confirmed the arrival timeline, welcoming the public to experience a premier athletic campaign up close.
Measuring 18.28 metres in length, the EMIRA IV operates on the cutting edge of modern nautical engineering. It is widely considered the “Formula 1” of the sailing world, capable of reaching speeds exceeding 70 kilometres per hour. Its most defining technical feature is the installation of side-mounted, wing-like hydrofoils. These advanced foils allow the massive hull to literally lift out of the water, dramatically reducing drag and enabling unprecedented sprint speeds over open water. This deployment marks a historic milestone, as it is believed to be the first time a foiling IMOCA 60 yacht has operated within Canadian waters.
The Canadian promotional campaign is being spearheaded by veteran offshore sailor and Collingwood resident Scott Shawyer, who is the founder and president of Canada Ocean Racing. Through this initiative, Shawyer intends to showcase advanced global marine innovation and domestic athletic excellence to residents and visitors alike. This summer’s training on the waters of Georgian Bay serves as a critical stepping stone toward his ultimate professional ambition: becoming the first Canadian in history to successfully complete the grueling Vendée Globe in 2028—a legendary, three-month solo, non-stop, unassisted race around the world through the treacherous Southern Ocean.
In coordination with local yacht clubs, Canada Ocean Racing has organized an extensive lineup of educational outreach, youth pathways, and community engagement programs for the summer. Highlighting the public activities, the team will host free, 20-minute guided boat tours between June 13 and June 20, offering enthusiasts a rare, water-perspective look at the multi-million dollar vessel. Due to its massive 15-foot keel, the historic deep-water clearance of Collingwood Harbour—originally engineered for industrial lake freighters—makes it one of the few ports in Canada capable of housing the vessel. At the conclusion of the summer training block, the EMIRA IV will return to Europe to begin final preparations for upcoming international solo trans-oceanic competitions.
