Canada Ocean Racing has selected six young sailors for its 2026 Youth Pathway Programme following a nationwide recruitment process that attracted almost 40 applicants. The initiative is designed to identify and develop Canada's next generation of offshore sailors by providing professional training, technical knowledge and hands-on experience within an IMOCA campaign.
The 2026 intake comprises Anna Parolin, Emily Roy, Anna Powick, Andre Van Dam, Tuskar Lordly and Julian Hill.
Rising Talent: Anna Parolin, one of six sailors selected for Canada Ocean Racing's 2026 Youth Pathway Programme, brings international ILCA racing experience and an engineering background. Photo: Canada Ocean Racing
The three-day programme will take place in Collingwood, Ontario, from 10 to 12 July. Participants will work alongside skipper Scott Shawyer and the Canada Ocean Racing team through on-the-water training, technical workshops and mentoring.
Shawyer said the programme was created to build opportunities for offshore sailing in Canada. "When I started this campaign, I wanted it to be about more than one boat or one race. I wanted to create opportunities for people passionate about the sailing industry to learn more about offshore racing, which is huge in France but limited in Canada."
He said the calibre of applications made the final selection difficult. "I was looking for curiosity, resilience, technical thinking and a genuine desire to keep learning. Those qualities matter just as much offshore as their sailing talent. This group represents the future of Canadian sailing."
The successful sailors bring experience from Olympic classes, match racing, keelboats and offshore competition, alongside engineering and technical backgrounds.
Among them are electrical engineering student Anna Parolin, former Olympic 49erFX campaigner Emily Roy, mechanical engineering student Anna Powick, Youth America's Cup competitor Andre Van Dam, aspiring Vendée Globe sailor Tuskar Lordly and offshore racer Julian Hill.
Offshore Ambition: Tuskar Lordly, a member of the 2026 Canada Ocean Racing Youth Pathway Programme, has raced from Lasers to international match racing and is working towards a future Vendée Globe campaign. Photo: Canada Ocean Racing
Canada Ocean Racing said the programme aims to create a pathway for young Canadians to pursue careers in professional offshore sailing, an area of the sport that has traditionally offered limited opportunities in the country.
