Sailpix Ireland: Stopover

03 March 2010

Lorient to be Penultimate Stopover in Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12

Lorient, Brittany on the northwest coast of France will host the Volvo Ocean Race in the summer of 2012. It will be at the end of a 700 nautical mile leg from Lisbon. Lorient will be the penultimate stopover in the race.

Groupama, skippered by Franck Cammas, who is currently taking on the Jules Verne Trophy, has Lorient as its home base and will be France’s entry in the next two Volvo Ocean races. Ireland's Damian Foxall will form part of Groupama's crew as watch leader.

Great YouTube video below showing what we can expect from Lorient HERE.

31 May 2009

Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09: The Cat Pounces

Puma won the in-port race series in Galway yesterday (30 May) after two thrilling races were held on Galway Bay. This is the first time that Puma has been on top of the podium for the Volvo Ocean Race and it brings her closer to second place in the overall standings.

Sadly Green Dragon didn't breathe fire on the day but I was glad to see Puma finally live up to their pre Volvo Ocean Race expectations. Though easy to say in hindsight, there genuinely was a palpable sense even before the racing started that Puma was going all out to win this one. The harmony between Ken Read the skipper, crew and boat was a sight to behold. The result of their combined efforts placed them deservedly at the top of the podium for the day's racing.

Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009
Galway Stopover - Inshore Race 1 Photo Gallery HERE

Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009
Galway Stopover - Inshore Race 2 Photo Gallery HERE