Liam Johnston, 25, B.C. native joins Canadian Ocean Racing’s Aspiring Offshore Athletes Program after recently wrapping up an Open 60 Project at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Liam’s first taste of sailing came when the tall ship Pacific Grace sailed into the local harbour; he signed up as student crew on the vessel. That Pacific Ocean crossing marked what would be the beginning of over 15000 nautical miles of ocean offshore sailing, with an Atlantic Ocean crossing and several other long distance sailings.
Although cutting his teeth on ‘tall ships and canvas’ Liam has spent the past five years at Memorial University of Newfoundland studying Naval Architecture. It was during his time studying that his interests have been drawn towards high-performance offshore sailing vessels such as O Canada.
“For my capstone design project, my team designed an Open 60 for a Canadian entrant into to 2020 Vendée Globe. Having spent the past 8 months designing a vessel like O Canada, a chance to go back to what brought me to school in the first place – sailing – is exceptional.”
After spending the last five years on dry land, Liam is thrilled to have this chance to sturdy his sea legs.
“My ultimate goal is to sail around the world. Being a part of the O Canada crew, and helping to further Canadian sailors in world competitions, it’s exciting. I live for the feeling of being out on the water, and knowing that I am a part of helping other Canadians reach and realize their own ocean sailing goals, it’s very fulfilling. Seeing the O Canada enter the Vendée would be a proud moment – even more so if I get the honour to crew!”
Read the full Open 60 Report; produced by Crash Box Design Ltd, Memorial University of Newfoundland capstone design group: Tristan Edwards, Adam Day, Carolyn O’Rourke and Liam Johnston.
