Shawyer qualified for NY to Vendée Race

It is a big year for the IMOCA solo skippers as they prepare for the 2024-25 Vendée Globe, and one of the early tests for the solo, non-stop, round the world race will be New York Vendée-Les Sables d’Olonne. With 30 boats anticipated for the start on May 29 from the USA to France, among the fleet will be Scott Shawyer, the Canadian skipper of the IMOCA Be Water Positive.

With no solo IMOCA races in recent months, it was obligatory for Shawyer to complete a 1200 nautical mile solo qualifying passage which had to include a minimum of 120 nautical miles sailed upwind, in at least Force 5 wind (17-21 knots) and sea conditions.

His course was monitored by his team and Race Direction to ensure that obligatory maneuvers and waypoints were executed. During the passage, Shawyer saw a range of North Atlantic conditions with consistent 25-30 knots and 5 metre swells.

Whilst qualification was the main objective, the testing passage also allowed him to get into full-on solo mode and further test his boat’s capabilities, electronics systems, and to work on his sleep patterns. Additionally, he has struggled with sea sickness but now manages with a strict pre-departure routine and sea sickness patches.

Departing and returning to the team’s Spring training base in Cascais, Portugal, Shawyer completed the qualifier on April 12 after 7 days at sea.

“It was a very grueling course with extreme weather conditions for much of it,” reported Shawyer. “It really marks a huge milestone, and I’m very proud to be able to take this 60-foot racing machine and sail it for that distance in these conditions – a true testament to the preparation and training we’ve been doing over the past year and a half.”

Shawyer’s long term goal is to compete in the 2024-29 Vendée Globe.

Race details: https://www.newyorkvendee.org/en