The 2nd Coming: Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 to Finish in Galway

 Face in the crowd, Torben Grael, skipper Ericsson 4, Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09. (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Torben Grael looks pleased to be in Galway as he walks past one of the city's institutions - McDonagh's Fish and Chip shop, Quay Street. It had taken Ericsson 4 just over seven days, ten and a half hours sailing before arriving from Boston to a tumultuous Irish welcome just after midnight on Sunday, 24 May 2009. Over the next five hours or so the remaining six boats completed the 2,550 nautical mile transatlantic crossing to an equally rapturous welcome including home port hero, Green Dragon which arrived in 3rd - the team's first leg podium of the campaign.

Green Dragon skipper Ian Walker summed up the experience from the crew's point of view:

When I saw the welcome we received on arriving in Galway I was speechless but when we left 2 weeks later it was with tears in my eyes. I knew Galway was a great city and a city that loves to party but never in my wildest dreams did I think Galway and Ireland would take so much to the Volvo Ocean Race. I can only say thank you from all of us for such a wonderful 2 weeks... What fantatsic memories we have of Galway Bay and I look forward to returning soon. 

 
Following the huge success of Galway in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, it was today (10 Mar 2010) announced Ireland will again feature in the new route for 2011-12.  The fleet will race from Lorient in France back to Galway on Ireland’s west coast. 

Galway, whose twin town since 1975 is Lorient, has fought an intense contest against the other bidding ports to win back the event for a second edition and the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will complete its lap around the globe in Ireland’s ‘cultural heart’, where the final prize giving will be held. 

The Taoiseach (the Prime Minister of Ireland) Brian Cowen stated:

“The 2009 stop over in Galway made an abiding impression on the sailors, support crews, organisers and media, who were immersed in the warmth of an Irish welcome.

Their presence, in turn, had an enormous beneficial impact on Galway, the west of Ireland and indeed the entire country. Their arrival here was spectacular and their visit helped generate a massive 55 million Euros for the regional economy, more than one third higher than the original projections.

Given its economic benefits and its importance to Irish tourism, I am more than happy to welcome the return of the Volvo Ocean Race to our shores and pledge our support for the event”.

The stopover in Galway during May 2009 fuelled the public imagination as never before.  Over 600,000 supporters visited the race village during the stopover, with the crowd peaking at 62,000 people on in-port race day alone.  The seaside resort of Salthill drew a further crowd of 120,000 to watch the dramatic close combat race from the shoreline.

Green Dragon, Inshore Race Galway, Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Galway’s ‘home town boat’, Green Dragon, became Ireland’s second entry in the race - the first was NCB Ireland in 1989-90.  Double Olympic medallist, Ian Walker, guided the team to a fifth place finish overall and claimed the third spot on the podium when the fleet crossed the finish in Galway, delighting the huge crowd that had gathered to welcome them. 

“The interest in hosting the Volvo Ocean Race, particularly in Europe, has been quite overwhelming,” said Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad, as the last of the European ports was unveiled. 

“I am very proud to confirm Ireland’s participation and Galway will be a magnificent port to stage the finish of the event.  We have already experienced the enthusiasm that abounds in Ireland for the race and we are looking forward to bringing the competition to its conclusion in a country that really knows how to celebrate,” he said.

Today's announcement completes the list of European cities hosting the event.  The remaining ports will be introduced throughout March.


Galway Map HERE