Start of Leg 8 Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 Galway to Marstrand

 

Credit: Race diagram courtesy of Volvo Ocean Race S.L.U.

Ericsson 3 and Ericsson 4 (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Telefonica Black (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Delta Llyod (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Telefonica Black (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

Ericsson 3 (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

A blustery Galway Bay on the 06 June 2009, scene of the start of Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, Galway to Marstrand.



Leg 8 (Galway Start) Photo Gallery HERE

Map HERE

The moment a virtual Volvo Open 70 set a Round Ireland Yacht Race virtual Record!

 

Virtual Round Ireland Yacht Race 2009

The colour of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 leaves Galway

 

Ericsson 3 departing Galway in Leg 8 of  Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

A grey day for Galway as the start of Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 sees the departure of the fleet for Marstrand, Sweden.
06 June 2009.


Map HERE

Virtual Round Ireland Yacht Race 2009

 

Virtual Round Ireland Yacht Race 2009

Could a virtual Volvo Open 70 sailing in real time, in real weather and in the same waters beat the circumnavigation of the island of Ireland 704 nautical mile Round Ireland course record of 65 hours, 48 minutes and 47 seconds set by Mike Slade's ICAP Leopard 3 in Wicklow Sailing Club’s Round Ireland Yacht Race 2008?

The inaugural Virtual Round Ireland Yacht Race 2009 was designed to answer that question. The virtual sailing race is underway and the arrival of the back markers in Galway is awaited.

The challenge started at 14:00 UTC/GMT, 15:00 Local Time Galway or 16:00 CEST on Saturday 06 June 2009, i.e. at the same time as the start of Leg 8 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

So did a virtual Volvo Open 70 break Leopard 3's Round Ireland record? Click on the logo above to go directly to the online dedicated race website to find out:

http://virtualroundireland.wordpress.com/

Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09: The Cat Pounces

The Cat Pounces - Puma Wins (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

 

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

Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 comes to Galway

Green Dragon arriving in Galway (Copyright 2009 Sailpix Ireland)

 

The Volvo Ocean Race arrived in Galway at the weekend in spectacular style. Spent the early hours of Sunday morning 24 May 2009 with the many thousands who awaited the arrival of the race fleet and boy did the event live up to all the hype - and more! An online photo album to follow.

Had the very great pleasure of meeting 'THE MAN' near Spanish Arch in Galway on Sunday afternoon. For someone of his legendary sailing achievements I found Torben Grael to be quite friendly and approachable and completely devoid of any airs or graces. He even posed for a few photographs!

So get down to Galway during the race stopover and bring all the family. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. To find out what's happening, visit the dedicated Galway Stopover Website HERE

Map HERE