As a precursor to the toughest around the world race, the Vendée Globe candidates will be competing against each other for the last time, in a single-handed transatlantic format leaving New York on 29 May for Les Sables d’Olonne in Vendée.
Canadian Scott Shawyer from Collingwood ON is working toward the big one, the Vendée Globe, this November. The relative rookie in his ocean racing endeavours was president and CEO of JMP Solutions for the past 25 years, then made his move. A lifelong sailor, adventurer, and athlete, Scott has trekked to the North Pole raising over five hundred thousand dollars for various charities and as an accomplished downhill ski racer is a member of the Canadian Masters Alpine Team.
Shawyer qualified for the New York-Vendée completing a rigorous 1200 nautical mile solo qualifying passage, including a minimum of 120 nautical miles sailed upwind, in at least Force 5 wind and sea conditions. During the passage, Scott saw a range of North Atlantic conditions with consistent 25-30 knots and 5 metre swells.
Although qualification was the main objective, the testing passage also allowed the Canadian skipper to get into full-on solo mode and test his boat’s capabilities, electronics systems, and to work on his sleep patterns. It’s no secret that Scott has struggled with sea sickness which he is now able to manage with a strict pre-departure routine and sea sickness patches.
On May 29, he will set off on a very gruelling next step to his goal.
