Canadian Ocean Racing program expands & rebrands to welcome new crew aboard round the world adventure
TORONTO, ON — 17 October 2016 Canadian Ocean Racing, Canada’s premier offshore racing team, announced today that it is expanding its program offering and officially rebranding as Ocean Racers. The expansion aims to provide more accessibility and participation in offshore sailing worldwide, and it comes with an open invitation.
While the team still has its eyes on the Vendee Globe Race with the Open 60 O Canada, Ocean Racers is now adding another vessel so more adventurers can experience sailing around the world. In January 2017, the new yacht, a Pogo 12.50, will compete in the World Rally and Ocean Racers welcomes people of all sailing experiences to apply and join the adventure.
The new venture is in addition to the program’s continued Vendee Globe campaign. While the lack of sponsorship has caused the team to delay their campaign to the 2020 Race instead of this year’s Vendee Globe, Ocean Racers will continue to raise awareness and funds with a program offering that will be more participatory for fans.
Ocean Racers, the team’s original social handle, from its founding in February 2015 has been focused on inclusion through its programming and social media. From daily vlogs on the O Canada refit to the Aspiring Offshore Athlete program, the team’s vision and mission has always reached far beyond their already ambitious IMOCA and Vendee Globe goals.
“We had a big dream, and we just nearly made it. Even though we didn’t make the Vendee Globe this time, we spent the past two years welcoming hundreds of people aboard our epic open 60 ocean race boat; getting them inspired and excited about offshore sailing. We want to continue that and share more experiences with people around the world,” said Morgen Watson, Director of Ocean Racers.
Morgen Watson and Meg Reilly, founders of Ocean Racers, created their own pathway to becoming ocean racers when they joined the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Race. The race took amateur sailors on an intense round the world journey, making them expert sailors by the end of the 40,000+ NM course. The duo has since created Ocean Racers, a program to take novice and seasoned sailors on more comfortable, yet still competitive, round the world adventures.
“Ocean Racers is an opportunity. An opportunity to cross oceans, learn new skills, compete and challenge yourself, meet interesting people, explore new places and see the world in an unforgettable way,” said Reilly. “I want to share these opportunities with everyone who is adventurous enough to join us!”
World Rally racing legs and more leisurely cruising legs are available on the Pogo 12.50 from January – November 2017. Ocean Racers also offers Atlantic Ocean crossings in December 2016 and 2017. The team’s open 60, O Canada, will remain in its home port of Toronto doing local sailing and training programs in Summer 2017. Visit www.oceanracers.net for more information and to apply.
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Press Contact
Meg Reilly, Marketing & Communications Director
meg@oceanracers.net
+1 908 294 2222
Ocean Racers
Ocean Racers, formerly Canadian Ocean Racing, provides safe and exciting sailing adventures around the world for amateur to professional sailors. Founded by Morgen Watson and Meg Reilly, Ocean Racers is dedicated to promoting the sport and lifestyle of offshore sailing worldwide.
With two performance vessels, an Open 60 O CANADA and a cruising hybrid Pogo 12.50, Ocean Racers provides a pathway to offshore sailing and racing at all levels. The team is currently offering crew opportunities for the 2017 World Rally on the Pogo 12.50. Visit www.oceanracers.net for more information.
World ARC
The World ARC will be on it’s 7th edition of the race when it starts in St. Lucia in January 2017. The World ARC is a 26000 NM tradewind circumnavigation with a support team in each port and friendly competition at sea.
The World ARC is organized by the World Cruising Club, known for the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Visit www.worldcruising.org for more information.