Massive yacht to arrive in Collingwood Monday

Canadian offshore sailor and Collingwood resident Scott Shawyer is shown on the EMIRA IV racing yacht. (Town of Collingwood)

A national racing yacht will be anchoring down in the Simcoe County region next week.

The Canada Ocean Racing IMOCA 60 racing yacht, EMIRA IV, will be hanging out at the Collingwood Harbour all summer with its arrival set for Monday as part of a campaign to celebrate the sport of yachting in Canada.

According to the Town of Collingwood, the yacht is one of the most advanced monohull sailing vessels in the world. The vessel, which measures around 18 metres in length, can go as fast as 70 kilometres per hour, making it one of the fastest racing yachts to ever exist.

Equipped with foils, which are wing-like pieces attached to the sides, this yacht’s arrival in Collingwood is thought to be one of the first times a vessel of this kind has been on the water in Canada.

Founder of Canada Ocean Racing and offshore sailor Scott Shawyer, who also happens to live in Collingwood, is leading the campaign, which is meant to give residents and tourists the opportunity to take in Canadian innovation.

Shawyer’s goal is to become the first Canadian to complete the Vendée Globe, a yacht race that goes all around the world in 2028.

There will be times when the public can engage in programming surrounding the yacht as well as educational outreach and viewing opportunities.

People can also go on free, guided boat tours to see the yacht from a water perspective between June 13 and 20.

Once the summer ends, the yacht will make its way back to Europe as it prepares for the international competition.