Born in England in 1981, at the age of 3 Shannon moved to Antigua with his family. He started sailing as a child and by the time he came of age he had completed six ocean crossings and a round-the-world race. Aboard PUMA he came second in the 2008 -2009 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. He has taken part in multiple editions of the America's Cup: in 2003 he was with Mascalzone Latino, in 2007 with Luna Rossa, in 2010 and 2013 with the winner Oracle Team USA and in 2021 again with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (as grinder). For the 2024 edition he is On Water Operations Manager of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team. The 2024 edition will be his sixth America's Cup.