Canda Ocean Racing's Pathway Programme Class of 2026
by Canada Ocean Racing 7 Jul 17:02 BST
Canda Ocean Racing © Georgia Schofield
Canada Ocean Racing has selected six young sailors from across Canada to join its 2026 Youth Pathway Programme this July, following an exceptionally competitive application process that attracted almost 40 applicants from coast to coast.
The programme has been created to help identify and develop Canada's next generation of offshore sailors, giving young athletes access to professional offshore racing, technical knowledge and the experience needed to pursue careers at the highest levels of the sport.
The successful applicants are:
- Anna Parolin
- Emily Roy
- Anna Powick
- Andre Van Dam
- Tuskar Lordly
- Julian Hill
Taking place in Collingwood, Ontario, from 10-12 July, the group will work alongside skipper Scott Shawyer and the Canada Ocean Racing team. They will gain first-hand experience of life within a professional IMOCA campaign through on-water training, technical workshops and mentorship.
Scott, Founder and Skipper of Canada Ocean Racing, said:
"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.
"The response to this year's programme has been incredible. We received applications from talented sailors across the country who have already achieved so much in Olympic classes, keelboats, match racing and offshore sailing. Selecting just six was incredibly 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, and we're excited to help them take the next step."
Anna Parolin
Age: 21
Location: Victoria, British Columbia (originally Ottawa, Ontario)
Currently studying Electrical Engineering, Anna combines years of international ILCA racing with growing experience in keelboat and offshore competition. A former Sail Canada Youth Squad sailor, she hopes to explore where professional offshore racing could take her career while bringing together her passion for engineering and high-performance sailing.
"I've always loved the combination of technical problem solving and performing under pressure. This programme is an incredible opportunity to learn how a professional offshore campaign operates and develop skills that simply aren't available anywhere else in Canada."
Emily Roy
Age: 25
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Emily recently stepped away from an Olympic 49erFX campaign to pursue her growing passion for offshore sailing. Having already logged more than 1,000 offshore miles, she's eager to continue building her experience in navigation, weather and offshore racing.
"I've definitely caught the offshore bug. Every mile I've sailed has made me want to learn more, and being able to experience an IMOCA campaign alongside this team is something I've dreamed about."
Anna Powick
Age: 18
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Anna is a two-time Female National Champion at Sail Canada Youth Nationals and is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at Queen's University, where she competes on the varsity sailing team. After discovering offshore and keelboat racing through university, she's eager to explore new pathways in the sport while combining her passion for high-performance sailing and engineering.
"I'm always looking for opportunities to learn from new people and challenge myself as a sailor. Being able to experience an IMOCA campaign and learn directly from the Canada Ocean Racing team would be an incredible step in my sailing journey."
Andre Van Damm
Age: 24
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Originally from New Zealand and now representing Canada internationally, Andre brings an exceptional blend of sailing and technical expertise. Alongside competing in Olympic classes, the Youth America's Cup and international match racing, he has worked as a sailmaker, rigger, marine electrician and with SailGP technical teams.
"Modern professional sailing demands versatility. I'm excited to learn how an IMOCA campaign brings together sailing, engineering and teamwork, while continuing to develop the offshore skills needed to compete at the highest level."
Tuskar Lordly
Age: 21
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Tuskar has raced locally and internationally in all manners of boats, from Lasers to the World Match Racing Tour, while building offshore experience through deliveries, races and international regattas. His long-term ambition is clear: one day competing in the Vendée Globe.
"Breaking into short-handed offshore sailing has always been my dream. This programme offers an opportunity that simply hasn't existed before in Canada, and I'm excited to learn from the team and keep building towards that goal."
Julian Hill
Age: 23
Location: Kingston / Toronto, Ontario
Fresh from graduating from Queen's University, Julian has already built an impressive offshore résumé. He co-founded HoldFast Ocean Racing, the only Canadian youth offshore initiative at the time, helped crowdfund the campaign, competed in the Newport Bermuda Race and recently raced aboard the Juan K 88 Lucky and GP42 ARMA.
"There are very few Canadians competing professionally offshore, so seeing this pathway being created is incredibly exciting. I'm looking forward to learning from the team, contributing wherever I can and continuing my journey towards becoming a professional sailor."