Help Bring O CANADA Back Home

Canadian Ocean Racing announces 2016 plans and welcomes fans onboard for journey back home

TORONTO, ON — 22 February 2016 After three Atlantic crossings in three months, Canadian Ocean Racing is now preparing for the first transat of 2016, and fans are welcome aboard!

One year after the team’s founding, Canadian Ocean Racing has decided to dedicate 2016 to the fans. In 2015, COR fans donated over $150,000 to the team, which allowed the only Canadian IMOCA team to compete in two class races at the end of last year. The team is now sailing O CANADA back home, and COR wants fans to be part of the journey.

“Our fans are the only reason we are still here. This spring is an exciting sailing season in North America, and we have the opportunity to bring our fans in on the action. It’s going to be a fun ride back home!” said Morgen Watson, co-skipper and founder of Canadian Ocean Racing.

Fans of varying sailing experience are welcomed to apply for one of the team’s upcoming passages. More advanced sailors can join the team for an Atlantic crossing at the end of April, or anyone can join one of the many Canadian legs between NYC and Toronto this spring.

A year ago, the young team set ambitious goals for the 2016 Vendee Globe when campaigning with skipper Eric Holden. The team has come a long way, but Holden has chosen to pursue other career opportunities, and the team has refocused and set new goals. Sandy Macpherson, former Aspiring Offshore Athlete, will serve as the team’s new solo skipper — with eyes on the 2020 Vendee Globe and 2018 Barcelona World Race with co-skipper Watson. Instead of the Vendee Globe race in 2016, the team is focusing on its growing fan base and bringing the excitement of ocean racing back to Canada.

“My goal has always been the Vendee Globe, but I want to do it right. The opportunity to circumnavigate with Morgen in the 2018 Barcelona World Race, and four years to build a strong Vendee Globe campaign, gives me more confidence and ability to bring Canada our first Vendee Globe finish. In the meantime, we are focusing on building the excitement, fanbase and support here at home,” said Macpherson.

O CANA DA currently resides in the Azores and will undergo winter maintenance until the scheduled Atlantic crossing from Western Europe to Newport, USA in April. Canadian Ocean Racing will participate in the Newport – New York IMOCA prologue race as an exhibition team with open spots for crew. Fans can join any of the passages for $1,500-$12,000CAD, please contact us at info@canadianoceanracing.com with subject “Executive Crew” for further details.

Find Out More

Canadian Ocean Racing is still actively pursuing corporate sponsorship and is looking for the right brand partner(s) that will support the team’s mission and goals. Sponsors still have the opportunity to get onboard for the Transat Quebec-St Malo.

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Press Contact

Meg Reilly, PR & Partnerships Manager

mreilly@canadianoceanracing.com

+1 908 294 2222

Canadian Ocean Racing

Canadian Ocean Racing (COR) is Canada’s premier offshore racing team. Founded by Morgen Watson and Meg Reilly, COR is dedicated to promoting the sport of offshore racing in Canada. COR is using Open 60 O CANADA, built in Canada, for an offshore training program and has taken her back on the IMOCA racing circuit.

The mission of COR is to raise the profile of Canadian offshore racing while building a program to develop the next generation offshore sailors. Visit www.canadianoceanracing.com for more information.

IMOCA

Founded in 1991 and recognised by ISAF (International Sailing Federation) since 1998, IMOCA is the class association, which takes care of 60-foot Open monohulls (18.28 metres). With more than twenty skippers signed up, its championship includes two round the world races, a round Europe race and several ocean races. The IMOCA class aims to make ocean racing more international and it brings together ideas about competitions, innovation, human adventure and safety.