Team Be Water Positive announces the team for The Ocean Race Europe 2025
by Canada Ocean Racing 27 Jun 04:53 PDT
Canada Ocean Racing © Canada Ocean Racing
Canada Ocean Racing - Team Be Water Positive today announces its 2025 The Ocean Race Europe crew led by Canadian skipper Scott Shawyer and featuring five other accomplished names in offshore sailing.
Scott Shawyer, a Canadian entrepreneur, adventurer and engineer, will skipper Team Be Water Positive in the fully crewed offshore challenge this summer.
Shawyer became the first Canadian to complete the New York Vendée in June 2024, following on from his 2023 season where he claimed line honours and set a new double-handed monohull record in the RORC Transatlantic Race.
Now, as he takes the helm of the team's new foiling IMOCA in this fully crewed format for The Ocean Race Europe, Shawyer is embracing the steep learning curve ahead.
"This is a huge step up for me," said Shawyer. "This boat is fast, technical and demanding, and I'm learning more every day from the experienced sailors around me. I'm here to get as much out of this race as I can. I've battled sea sickness, I've made mistakes, and I've had frustrating days, but every mile on this boat gets me closer to my goal of mastering the foiling IMOCA boat and ultimately competing in the 2028 Vendée Globe."
The Ocean Race Europe marks a key milestone in the team's development, who are using this opportunity to accelerate their training, deepen their understanding of the boat, and push their performance under pressure.
Arguably, Canada Ocean Racing - Team Be Water Positive arrives as the underdog: a new team, on a new boat.
"We know we're going up against some of the most professional and experienced outfits in offshore racing," added Shawyer. "But I'm excited about how we are coming together as a team. This is a group of highly experienced sailors full of talent and determination, and we're learning fast."
Joining him for The Ocean Race Europe are:
Pip Hare (GBR) - A two-time Vendée Globe entrant, Hare became a household name after completing the 2020-21 race. She brings deep solo sailing experience, technical knowledge, and outstanding resilience, having survived a mid-race dismasting in last year's Vendée Globe and safely navigated 800nm to land under jury rig.
Chris Pratt (FRA) - One of France's most respected offshore sailors, Pratt secured podium positions in the 2011, 2013, 2019 and 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre and was part of Team Malizia during the 2023 Ocean Race. Known for his tactical sharpness and calmness under pressure, he adds a significant competitive edge to the team.
Sébastien Marsset (FRA) - A highly experienced solo, double-handed and crew sailor, Marsset completed the 2024-25 Vendée Globe and brings strong offshore and inshore experience, including the Volvo Ocean Race, Jules Verne, and World Match Racing Tour. He learnt his trade as part of Franck Cammas' Groupama team (winners of 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race), plus Yann Guichard and Charlie Enright's teams.
Brian Thompson (GBR) - Thompson is one of the world's most accomplished offshore sailors, with multiple circumnavigations and roughly 40 official world sailing speed records to his name, including the Jules Verne Trophy (a record that stood for five years).
Georgia Schofield (NZL) - a passionate visual storyteller and lifelong sailor, Schofield has worked as a photographer and videographer for 14 years. Her experience includes roles with Starboard, New Zealand Ocean Racing (Volvo 65 campaign), and most recently as On Board Reporter for Team Holcim-PRB during the 2022-23 Ocean Race.
"This team represents everything we stand for at Canada Ocean Racing - Team Be Water Positive," said Shawyer. "World-class skill, relentless determination, and the courage to push boundaries. I'm honoured to race alongside them and to take this next bold step on our journey."
The Ocean Race Europe will start on August 10, 2025, in Kiel, Germany, and finish in Montenegro after stops in major European ports including Portsmouth, Porto, Cartagena, Nice and Genova.