Galway is set for a sailing bonanza. In just three days time the first of the world’s yachting elite is expected to cross the Mutton Island finish line into Galway for the first time in the history of the Round the World Yacht Race.
Two years of planning come to fruition when the most ambitious and longest of the Volvo Ocean Race events makes Galway its stopover for the next two weeks, and Galway’s entry, the Green Dragon, sails into its home port.
From Saturday when the Galway Race Village is opened, until June 6 when the yachts depart on leg eight to Goteborg, there will be 14 days to enjoy the entertainment and sport associated with the world’s most prestigious yacht race.
To celebrate this event the organisers Let’s Do It Galway, have produced a programme of events that is guaranteed to set a new standard in the race’s history. Already dubbed the “party stopover”, the emphasis in Galway is to showcase Ireland’s traditional strengths on music and craic.
The party kicks off on Saturday with the official opening taking place on Sunday at 9.30pm, by which time it is hoped all seven of the Volvo 70s will have arrived from Boston. One of the two Spanish entrants, Telefonica Black, was leading the charge yesterday, and computer routing was predicting a finish in Galway early on Sunday morning based on current performance. Special Formula 1 celebrations will be held as each boat arrives into the transformed Galway docks which are expected to boast some 140,000 visitors during the two-week stopover.
Although the yachts will be lifted out of the water on Monday for repairs and maintenance, the free festivities continue each day. The two big weekends include the Red Arrows display that kick-starts the in-port racing on Saturday May 30, and the farewell celebrations the following week. The two stages set up in the village will boast an array of traditional musical entertainment, while outside the village the Green Dragon Route includes circus acts, a boat show, brass bands, and puppet theatre at various venues during the two party weekends. Art exhibitions and the Galway Bay Sailing Club’s biggest regatta will add to the festive fare.
For only the second time in its 31-year history, Ireland has entered this race, and for the first time it is hosting one of the 12 stopovers.
Chairman of Let’s Do it Galway, John Killeen, told the Galway Advertiser that after two years of planning, he is heartened by the huge amount of community support, despite the economic climate.
“The community effort has been huge and has played a big part in making this successful,” he says.”The city is looking well and despite this time of economic depression, the people of Galway have rowed in behind us and become enthused by this project.”
The critical element has been the transformation of the docks, and Killeen is confident that come Saturday when the gates open to the public at 12 noon, everything will be ready.
“The docks is now a changed site. It is really starting to take shape with the hospitality tents, pontoons, the crew support area, and the stages nearly complete.”
The special Puma Challenge boat - an old Volvo yacht - is due to arrive in the next 24 hours, and its 100ft mast will be the centrepiece for the special “climb the mast” challenge that is open to the public.
The wind turbines, built by local company C & F Wind Concepts, are already up and running, powering the five-acre village, and making it the only port in the 37,000 mile race to be powered by wind on land as well as sea. They will remain to power the harbour as one of the lasting legacies of this stopover.
“Hopefully this stopover will leave a legacy,” says Killeen. “We have shown what can be achieved with a lot of community spirit. Not only has the docks been changed and will provide marina facilities in the future, but the people of Galway will certainly have a greater understanding of the sea. Hopefully there will be a pot of gold behind this stopover.”
