All news

Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer acquires Sébastien Simon's IMOCA boat

Businessman and adventurer who became an ocean racer, Scott Shawyer has set himself a major challenge: to become the first Canadian to complete the Vendée Globe. The 53-year-old sailing and extreme sports enthusiast took part in the New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne 2024, his first solo race on the IMOCA Globe Series circuit, aboard a 2011 Owen Clarke design renamed Be Water Positive.

Today, his Vendée Globe 2028 project is taking on a new dimension. The former extreme skier recently bought the IMOCA Groupe Dubreuil, a 2020 generation Sam Manuard design, which won The Ocean Race 2023 and came 3rd in the Vendée Globe 2024 with the skipper from Vendée, Sébastien Simon.

Aboard this high-performance boat, Scott Shawyer now has his sights set on the next solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the globe. In the meantime, he will be continuing his rise up the circuit by taking part in The Ocean Race Europe as part of a crew, followed by the double-handed Transat Café de l'Or.

For his part, Sébastien Simon has announced the construction of a new IMOCA for 2028:

It's the end of a chapter with this boat, with which we completed the Vendée Globe 2024 with an incredible 3rd place. It's time for us to turn the page, look ahead and concentrate on the 2028 edition. We're really proud that Scott and Canada Ocean Racing are taking over the boat. I hope they'll push it as far as I did, and that they'll enjoy sailing it just as much. I'm pleased to know that a new skipper has been found for the Vendée Globe 2028. I wish Scott and the whole team all the best, and I can't wait to see this boat back at sea in her new colours Canada Ocean Racing - Be Water Positive.

Sébastien Simon
Groupe Dubreuil
Scott Shawyer & Sébastien Simon
Scott Shawyer & Sébastien Simon
© Canada Ocean Racing LLC / Martin Viezzer - Groupe Dubreuil Sailing Team

Skippers linked to this article

Sébastien Simon

Groupe Dubreuil
Sébastien Simon

Share this article

Latest news

In brief

Fabrice Amedeo will set off again in 2028 for a 4th Vendée Globe with FDJ United

In brief

Arnaud Boissières buys Benjamin Dutreux's boat

LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE - MAY 10, 2025 : Skippers and various activities are photographed during the nautical parade of the Vendee Globe prize ceremony, on May 10, 2025 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo by Jean-Louis Carli / Alea)

Emotion and memories: the skippers relate their ceremony

On Saturday 10 May, Les Sables d'Olonne recaptured the magic of the Vendée Globe with a grand ceremony to celebrate the skippers of the 2024 edition. The eagerly-awaited event drew large crowds along the channel, despite the capricious weather. With a mix of popular fervour and emotional sequences,…
LES SABLES D’OLONNE, FRANCE - MAY 10, 2025 : All skippers are photographed with missing winner MACIF Santé Prévoyance skipper Charlie Dalin (FRA) displayed in the background during the Vendee Globe sailing race prize ceremony, on May 10, 2025 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo by Jean-Marie Liot / Alea)

An emotional evening in Les Sables d'Olonne

Yesterday, 10 May, Les Sables d'Olonne lit up to celebrate the heroes of the Vendée Globe 2024-2025. An exceptional evening brought together the general public for a grandiose event promising unforgettable memories. From 6.30pm, the legendary channel was alive with the sounds of a huge nautical…
Clôture Vendée Globe 2020

May 10: An evening honoring the heroes of the Vendée Globe

On Saturday, May 10, Les Sables d’Olonne will once again come alive to celebrate the epic journey of the Vendée Globe and pay tribute to the skippers of the 2024 edition, during a spectacular evening filled with emotion and festivity. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the legendary channel will burst into…
Couverture livre officiel vendée globe 2024-2025 site web

The official book of the 10th edition is already available!

The record-breaking 10th edition already has its official book, published by Hugo Sport (€19.95). A richly illustrated account of the incredible adventure that kept millions of fans on the edge of their seats all winter long.
LES SABLES D'OLONNE, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 10, 2024: The crowd is photographed in the channel before start of the Vendee Globe, on November 10, 2024 in Les Sables d'Olonne, France - (Photo by Bernard Le Bars / Alea)

"Here, the Vendée Globe is not an event, it's a religion"

In the Vendée Globe's namesake department, the event is much more than an ocean race: it's a matter of pride, sharing and emotion. This tenth edition, unprecedented in terms of the number of participants and media coverage, has brightened the winters of the local people, who have thrilled alongside…
In brief

New 2028 project: Ambrogio Beccaria with sponsor Mapei