Canadian Ocean Racing officially launched at the Sail Canada Awards on February 6, 2015 in Toronto. Co-founders, Eric Holden and Morgen Watson, were honored at the awards for Rolex Canadian Sailor of the Year and the Gerry Roufs Trophy, respectively.
“Spending the majority of the last year racing, there were very few moments to actually look back and celebrate all the growth and accomplishments. Tonight was the perfect night for the launch as I reflected on the journey so far and the new one ahead,” said Holden.
The Canadian duo, Holden and Watson, were honored at the Sail Canada Awards for their achievements in the 13-14 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Holden, the first Canadian skipper in the race’s history, led his amateur crew aboard Henri Lloyd to victory across the fiercest oceans and toughest conditions in the world. Watson was not only a crew member on board Henri Lloyd, but also one of Holden’s trusted watch leaders.
After sailing around the world, Watson can barely be considered an amateur sailor. The duo founded Canadian Ocean Racing so that Holden can mentor and lead Watson plus other aspiring sailors to build a competitive offshore racing program for the country.
“I am very lucky to have the opportunity and access to competitive offshore racing. Eric has mentored me throughout the Clipper Race and continues to do so — I’m very grateful for his confidence in me. I am especially proud to partner with him to build Canadian Ocean Racing and provide the same opportunities and support for other aspiring sailors like myself,” said Watson.
At the launch, Holden teased what followers can expect in Canadian Ocean Racing’s journey that officially began at the awards ceremony.
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The Canadian Ocean Racing program will begin with a refit of O Canada, the team’s 60-foot racing boat, which is currently dry-docked in Vancouver. The team will then tour her to East Coast Canada, making a journey through the Panama Canal with several events in select ports to be announced in coming months.
Canadian Ocean Racing’s delivery of O Canada will include spots for several aspiring Canadian offshore sailors to take part in various legs of the journey. Following the tour, the team will attend the Pan Am games to promote the program and sport of offshore racing.
The team then intends to train until their first IMOCA class race, which will be the Transat Jacques Vabre in November 2015. Ultimately, Canadian Ocean Racing will grow to support Holden in his solo Vendee Globe campaign for November 2016.
